HM Treasury

VAT Exemptions: Pharmacy

Antoinette Sandbach: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will extend VAT relief to NHS pharmacies.

Mr David Gauke: NHS grant funding takes account of all costs incurred by pharmacies, including VAT.

VAT Exemptions: Pharmacy

Antoinette Sandbach: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will bring forward proposals to prevent private pharmacies from being able to reclaim the 20 per cent VAT they pay suppliers for medicines.

Mr David Gauke: In common with other businesses, private pharmacies are entitled to reclaim the VAT paid on costs connected with their taxable activity.

Pensions: Tax Allowances

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the projected level of income tax that will be forgone by the taxpayer by providing higher rate income tax relief on pension contributions in (a) 2016-17, (b) 2017-18, (c) 2018-19 and (d) 2019-20.

Mr David Gauke: Information on the total cost of pensions tax relief is published in HM Revenue and Customs’ National Statistics table PEN6, available on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/registered-pension-schemes-cost-of-tax-relief

Capital Gains Tax

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the amount of capital gains tax forgone through providing entrepreneur's relief in (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15.

Mr David Gauke: Latest estimates of the cost of Entrepreneurs’ Relief, amount to £3.0bn for 2014-15, and £2.7bn for 2013-14. These can be found in table 1.5 (Main tax expenditures and structural reliefs) at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/389539/20141231_expenditure_reliefs_v0.3.pdfThis publication does not include an estimate for 2012-13; the latest published estimate for 2012-13 is £2.1bn.The estimated cost of this relief from capital gains tax does not represent the yield if this relief were to be abolished, as consequential behavioural effects would substantially reduce yield.

Occupational Pensions

Andrew Rosindell: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that employers use the correct pension classification code and pay their due amount as contributions.

Mr David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) publishes detailed guidance for employers on the GOV.UK website about National Insurance Contributions category letters.https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-rates-lettersAll employers with an occupational pension scheme receive a reference number (Employer Contracted-Out Number) from HMRC. This allows the employer to use specific category letters which indicate that they are paying contracted-out contributions when they make their Real Time Information returns to HMRC. There are also automated checks in place to identify if an incorrect category letters has been used and these are then followed-up with the employer.

Science: Finance

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will ensure that the science budget will be maintained in real terms.

Greg Hands: This Government has made a long term science capital commitment investing £6.9bn in the UK’s research infrastructure up to 2021.Future allocations for science resource funding will be determined at the forthcoming Spending Review.

Infrastructure: Suffolk

Dr   Poulter: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal support his Department is giving to infrastructure initiatives in East Suffolk.

Greg Hands: The Government has committed to invest £100bn in infrastructure over the course of this Parliament. There are 31 projects and programmes in the East of England in the National Infrastructure Pipeline, which include the energy, transport and waste sectors. The Pipeline is a strategic overview of the level of public and private infrastructure investment planned over the rest of this decade and beyond. These projects and programmes have a total capital value of more than £6 billion, of which more than £2.5 billion is public spending.

Companies: Tax Avoidance

Danny Kinahan: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will introduce legislative proposals to prevent UK tax rules allowing companies to avoid paying tax in developing countries.

Mr David Gauke: The UK, like most countries, has a territorial tax system that focuses on taxing profits generate from economic activity in the UK. It is not possible to use the UK tax system to prevent companies from avoiding paying tax in other countries. Our corporate tax system is designed to protect the UK’s tax base, not those of other countries.The key issue is ensuring that developing countries have the assistance required to develop their own rules to protect their tax bases. The UK has set up a specialist Tax Capacity Building Unit in HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), which deploys HMRC staff to developing countries to provide technical expertise. Earlier this year, we committed to doubling our funding for tax projects in developing countries.The UK is also at the forefront of global efforts to address tax avoidance by multinational companies through the OECD-G20 Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project. Over 60 countries have been involved in this work, including developing countries.The BEPS project was completed on 5 October, and the focus is now on implementation. The UK is chairing a group of over 90 countries, including developing countries such as Zambia, who are working together to develop a multilateral instrument (MLI) to update the global network of tax treaties in line with the BEPS project outcomes. The MLI will help developing countries whose tax treaty negotiation expertise may be more limited than in governments of developed economies.

Enterprise Zones: Northern Ireland

Danny Kinahan: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent steps his Department has taken to encourage the development of enterprise zones in Northern Ireland.

Greg Hands: In Northern Ireland, many of the benefits associated with Enterprise Zones are the devolved responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive.The 2013 economic pact, Building a Prosperous and United Community, indicated that the Government would consider designating a range of sites within any Northern Ireland Enterprise Zone as eligible for Enhanced Capital Allowances, which as part of the UK’s tax system remain a non-devolved responsibility.In March 2014 the NI Executive indicated that it was considering creating a pilot Enterprise Zone near Coleraine. The Government remains open to examining the case for offering Enhanced Capital Allowances at that, or alternative, locations when proposals are brought forward by the Executive.Budget 2014 announced that businesses located within the Executive’s proposed pilot Enterprise Zone near Coleraine will benefit from enhanced capital allowances until 2020. I understand the Executive continues to work towards the implementation of this pilot Enterprise Zone.

Multinational Companies: Corporation Tax

Danny Kinahan: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will investigate UK multinationals' corporate tax practices in Zambia.

Mr David Gauke: Any investigation of UK multinationals’ corporate tax practices in Zambia would need to focus on, and require a full understanding of, the interaction between multinationals and the tax regime of Zambia. It would not be feasible or appropriate for the UK Government to undertake such an investigation.The UK is supporting tax reform in Zambia. For example, the Department for International Development has funded the OECD and World Bank Group to provide technical assistance to Zambia to implement improvements in transfer pricing and related controls. More generally, the Government is committed to supporting developing countries access sustainable sources of revenue and collect the taxes they are due. The UK is a world leader on tax capacity building, contributing considerable human and financial resources to help developing countries to build robust tax administrations. And earlier this year we committed to doubling our funding for tax projects in developing countries.The Government has also set up a specialist Tax Capacity Building Unit in HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). At Autumn Statement 2014, the Chancellor announced that HMRC would recruit a new team of tax inspectors to work fulltime on tax capacity building, supporting HMRC’s Tax Capacity Building Unit and fulfilling missions such as the OECD’s Tax Inspectors Without Borders project.

Treasury: Staff

John Glen: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many officials of his Department are responsible for work directly relating to the Department for Work and Pensions.

Harriett Baldwin: The Treasury’s business covers matters relating to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in a number of areas such as welfare, spending and pensions. As such it is not possible to give a definitive number of people who are responsible for work directly relating to DWP. The Treasury is appropriately resourced to achieve its strategic objectives in this area.

Pensions: Advisory Services

Stephen Timms: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what alternative sources of advice there are for people exercising pension freedoms who do not access Pension Wise guidance.

Harriett Baldwin: The government committed to providing free, impartial guidance through Pension Wise, to help people make informed and confident decisions about how they use their defined contribution pension savings in retirement. It is available online, via the telephone and face to face. As of 29 October 2015, there were over 20,000 completed appointments for face to face guidance and 9,000 completed appointments for telephone guidance as well as over 1.7 million visits to the website.Pension Wise runs exit surveys of those who have completed an appointment It is not mandatory for a user to complete an exit survey. The government is committed to being open and transparent with Pension Wise data and will be making core data readily available by placing it on the government performance platform this autumn. The data will be in the public domain and updated regularly. HM Treasury is working with Pension Wise delivery partners to provide the level of detail that we require for reporting purposes.The Financial Conduct Authority, in line with its remit to protect consumers and ensure markets function in consumers’ interests, is monitoring developments in the retirement income market closely and has committed to take action where consumers are coming to harm or where the market is not operating competitively.The government recognises that people may wish to consult different sources of information before reaching a decision about their retirement income. In addition to Pension Wise, The Pension Advisory Service (TPAS) provides independent, impartial information and guidance about pensions, free of charge, to members of the public. The Money Advice Service also provides free and unbiased information and guidance on all money matters.A number of pension providers offer financial guidance. Individuals can also access regulated advice from an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). HM Treasury and the Financial Conduct Authority are jointly considering how financial advice could be made more accessible and affordable for consumers through the Financial Advice Market Review.

Married People: Tax Allowances

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2015 to Question 12791, on married people: tax allowances, what the best telephone number is for customers to use; and what rate that telephone line charges.

Mr David Gauke: People wanting to apply for Marriage Allowance by telephone should call HM Revenue and Customs’ helpline on 0300 200 3300. Call charges vary depending on the package provided by phone service providers, and further information can be found at GOV.UK.

World Economy

Diana Johnson: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the 2013 Lough Erne G8 Leaders' Communiqué, published on 18 June 2013, what progress has been made on implementing the commitments in paragraphs (a) 1, (b) 2, (c) 3, (d) 8 and (e) 10 of that document; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Gauke: An update on UK progress of commitments in the G8 Lough Erne Leaders Communique can be found in the 2013 UK G8 Presidency Report, published on the Government’s website at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/271676/G8_report_WEB_FINAL.PDFSince then the Prime Minister has updated the House in June following the 2015 G7 summit. There has been significant progress on the Lough Erne commitments, including the finalisation of the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting package (further information published on the OECD website), agreeing global standards on Automatic Exchange of Information in taxation and furthering international free trade agreements.In addition, the G7 publishes an accountability report which monitors progress on the promises made on development. The last report was published in 2013, and the next one will be published next year under the Japanese presidency.

Prime Minister

Prime Minister: Credit Unions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Prime Minister, what steps he is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of 10 Downing Street; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Cameron: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for West Worcestershire (Ms Baldwin) on 2 November 2015, UIN 13524.

Iron and Steel: Manufacturing Industries

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Prime Minister, when he last discussed the issue of state aid for the UK steel industry with (a) the President of the European Commission, (b) the Presidency of the European Council and (c) other EU member state governments.

Mr David Cameron: I have raised the issues facing the steel industry with my counterparts, including most recently with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, which currently holds the EU Presidency.The Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills is also engaged with the European Commission and our European partners. He has spoken with a number of European Commissioners in Brussels; Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom (Trade), Commissioner Elsbieta Bienkowska (Internal Market) and Vice President Jyrki Katainen (Jobs and Competitiveness), and stressed the importance of this issue. He has had positive talks with the Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager on progressing the approval of the UK’s Energy Intensive Industries compensation scheme.In addition, the Secretary of State has raised the issue with his EU counterparts, including those in Luxembourg, France, Italy and Spain. He called for an urgent EU Council meeting on steel, and I am pleased that the Luxembourg Presidency has scheduled a Competitiveness Council on 9 November specifically to discuss the EU steel industry.

National Community Forum

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Prime Minister, if he will publish the minutes of the Prime Minister's Community Forum meeting on 13 October 2015; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Cameron: Information about the first meeting of the Community Engagement Forum can be found on the gov.uk website.

Department for Work and Pensions

Department for Work and Pensions: Pay

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much was paid in (a) year-end and (b) in-year bonuses to officials of his Department in each of the last three years.

Justin Tomlinson: In line with Civil Service pay guidance, DWP rewards employees for their performance through either end of year non-consolidated payments and/or in-year payments. In year payments are limited to 0.23% of the total DWP paybill.Employees who have attained agreed performance levels as part of their performance review may receive an end of year non-consolidated payment based on their grade and end of year performance marking. End of year payments are limited to 1.9% of the total DWP paybillAt the end of the 2012-13 performance year DWP employed 104,864 staff(a) End of year non-consolidated payments£44,758,579 paid to staff in delegated and SCS grades(b) In-year voucher or cash payments£6,515,427 paid to staff in delegated grades (SCS grades not eligible)At the end of the 2013-14 performance year DWP employed 95,923 staff(a) End of year non-consolidated payments£41,488,229 paid to staff in delegated and SCS grades(b) In-year voucher or cash payments £5,030,126 paid to staff in delegated grades (SCS grades not eligible)At the end of the 2014-15 performance year DWP employed 90,018 staff(a) End of year non-consolidated payments£38,141,345 paid to staff in delegated and SCS grades(b) In-year voucher or cash payments £3,991,001 paid to staff in delegated grades (SCS grades not eligible)

Universal Credit

Natalie McGarry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many notifications of claimant non-compliance have been received by decision makers in his Department relating to claims for universal credit; and what proportion of those notifications have resulted in sanctions.

Priti Patel: The information you have requested is not currently available. The Department published its strategy for releasing official statistics on Universal Credit (UC) in September 2013. As outlined in the strategy, officials are currently quality assuring data for UC. All statistics will be published in accordance with the relevant protocols in the Code of Practice for official statistics.The latest official experimental statistics on UC and the Departments release strategy can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/universal-credit-statistics

Employment and Support Allowance

Ms Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which local authorities are covered by the Maximus Camden Team which is leading on the Work Programme for employment support allowance claimants in the work-related activity group.

Priti Patel: Only claimants in Camden local authority are covered by the Maximus team located in Camden.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Drew Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to increase the uptake of jobseeker's allowance by people who are eligible.

Priti Patel: The Department does all it can to ensure that people are aware of the benefits to which they may be entitled and how to claim them, through its information providing services.Advice is available in different languages and formats, and across multiple locations. In addition to Jobcentre Plus offices, these include local authorities, law centres, Citizens Advice, post offices, doctors’ surgeries, libraries, the internet, community groups, welfare rights groups, advice centres, and various voluntary organisations.

Housing Benefit

Drew Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to increase the uptake of housing benefits by people who are eligible.

Justin Tomlinson: We are committed to ensuring people are able to claim the correct benefits to which they are entitled. The availability of benefits is widely known, advice is available in different languages, different formats, and different locations. In addition to local authorities, Jobcentre Plus offices, law centres, Citizens Advice, post offices, doctors’ surgeries, libraries, the internet, community groups, welfare rights groups, advice centres, and various voluntary organisations all offer advice and information. Furthermore, many benefit claim forms will offer advice on other forms of assistance that may be available.Claimants to DWP benefits are routinely asked during the claim process if they want to claim Housing Benefit. If they do, we take the claim and share the data with the local authority.In future working age customers who are receiving Universal Credit will receive housing costs as part of an individual or a couple’s claim, thus removing the need to make a separate application to the local authority.

Department for Work and Pensions: Debts

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many cases of debt repayment to his Department have been cancelled in each year since 2010.

Justin Tomlinson: Holding answer received on 30 October 2015



The latest preliminary figures for 2014/15 estimate Fraud and Error levels as £3.2 billion, or 1.9% of benefit expenditure. The net figure after recoveries is £2.3bn, or 1.4%. This means that DWP Fraud and Error is at its lowest ever level.We have interpreted this question to mean the volume of debts written off since 2010. The totals represent the number of transactions where debts have been written off either in full or in part, i.e. where some element remains recoverable.The vast majority of these transactions are either cases where the Department has no legal right to recover or overpayments under £65 which are not value for money to pursue.Year2010-112011-122012-132013-142014-15To 30 Sept 2015Total Write Off1,312,4211,198,4631,513,4041,460,7341,213,838571,008

Social Security Benefits: Overpayments

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total value is of outstanding benefit overpayments due to be recovered by his Department.

Justin Tomlinson: Holding answer received on 30 October 2015



The latest preliminary figures for 2014/15 estimate Fraud and Error levels as £3.2 billion, or 1.9% of benefit expenditure. The net figure after recoveries is £2.3bn, or 1.4%. This means that DWP Fraud and Error is at its lowest ever level.The total value of outstanding benefit overpayments as of 1 October 2015 is £2.5 billion. This represents less than 1.5% of the total benefit expenditure of £168 billion for 2014 – 2015.The Department recovered over £1.3 billion of debt in 2014-2015, including benefit debts.

Department for Work and Pensions: Trade Unions

Tom Pursglove: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many civil servants in his Department are members of trades unions; how much working hours facility time is claimed by each such civil servant; and what the cost of that facility time is to his Department.

Justin Tomlinson: The number of members of trade unions is a matter for trade unions. The Cabinet Office publishes data relating to Civil Service facility time on a quarterly basis. The latest data is Quarter 1 - 4, 2014 and is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/trade-union-facility-time.The latest data available for facility time is Quarter 1 2015. The number of working hours taken by trade union representatives was 38,423.5. The cost of this facility time was £423,088. This represents 0.07% of pay bill for this period.

Housing Benefit: Bristol

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate he has made of the number of people affected by the under-occupancy penalty in the Bristol City Council area.

Justin Tomlinson: The available information on the number of people affected by the removal of the spare room subsidy in the Bristol City Council area is published and can be found at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/

Universal Credit

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of changes to the work allowance in universal credit announced in the Summer Budget 2015 on incentives to work.

Priti Patel: Universal Credit will have a powerful positive effect on labour market participation. We expect 300,000 more people to be in work as a result of the introduction of Universal Credit, and around 75% of the households that gain under Universal Credit are in the bottom 40% of the income distribution.

Employment and Support Allowance: Cancer

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will take steps to provide support to people diagnosed with cancer in the work-related activity group of employment and support allowance who will be affected by the proposed reductions in benefits for people in that group.

Priti Patel: No current claimants, including those diagnosed with cancer, will be affected by the change to the work-related activity component and we have already committed to providing up £100m in new, practical support for claimants with limited capability for work to help them move closer to the labour market and, when they are ready, into work.

Department for Work and Pensions: Publications

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what regulations apply to the size and colours of printed information on benefits published by his Department to ensure access to that information for people with visual impairments.

Justin Tomlinson: The Department has the following documented standards for printed information:• Minimum type size of 10pt FS Me or 12pt Arial, based on recommended best practice from RNIB• The majority of publications are printed in black and white.• Where colour is used, we apply international standards for suitable contrast between text and background.• The Department provides staff guidance explaining how to commission large print, Braille or audio versions of publications in response to individual requests.• Publications can also be made available in electronic formats suitable for most computers equipped with screen reader software; or as Portable Document Format (PDF) files which have been optimised for the free-of-charge Adobe Reader built-in 'Read out loud' function.

Department for Work and Pensions: Databases

John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which datasets have been regularly compiled by his Department for (a) 10 years or more and (b) 15 years or more.

Justin Tomlinson: The information requested is not currently available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Vacancies: Internet

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many duplicate jobs were removed from Universal Jobmatch in each of the 12 months to August 2015.

Priti Patel: The Government does not collect this information.

Employment and Support Allowance

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress his Department has made in extending reassessment periods for claimants in the employment and support allowance support group (a) generally and (b) who have degenerative brain conditions.

Priti Patel: Despite routine re-assessments are currently suspended to focus on new claims, we have made an exception for deteriorating conditions where a repeat assessment can be requested. As a consequence no changes have been made to the re-referral periods for people in the Support Group.

Employment and Support Allowance: Appeals

Matthew Pennycook: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many appeals by claimants in the work related activity group of employment and support allowance have resulted in subsequent placement in the support group of employment and support allowance in each quarter since 2013.

Matthew Pennycook: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of appeals against fit for work decisions since January 2013 have involved people whose primary medical condition is a mental health condition.

Matthew Pennycook: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many appeals by claimants in the work related activity group of employment and support allowance whose primary medical condition is a mental health condition have resulted in subsequent placement in the support group of employment and support allowance in each quarter since 2013.

Justin Tomlinson: The information as requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Work Capability Assessment: Multiple Sclerosis

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the Multiple Sclerosis Society's recent findings that almost half of the people with multiple sclerosis surveyed who had had a work capability assessment declared that it had caused their condition to deteriorate or relapse.

Priti Patel: We are always striving to improve the Work Capability Assessment and especially the claimant experience. To this end we have implemented, or are implementing, over 100 recommendations identified following five independent reviews. All assessments are carried out by health professionals trained in Disability Assessment Medicine and receive guidance for medical conditions which include fluctuating conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis.

Personal Independence Payment: Multiple Sclerosis

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the Multiple Sclerosis Society's recent findings that 36 per cent of people with multiple sclerosis surveyed who had had a PIP face-to-face assessment declared that it had caused their condition to deteriorate or relapse.

Justin Tomlinson: We have made it clear that when attending a face-to-face consultation, claimants can bring someone with them in order to support them or help them manage any anxiety they may feel. In some cases assessment providers will also carry out consultations in claimants’ homes.Assessments for PIP are carried out by qualified health professionals who have broad training in assessing the impacts of a variety of disabilities, including fluctuating conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis. Before claimants are invited for a face-to-face consultation, all of the evidence held is reviewed and if, at that stage, a decision can be made on the paper evidence alone, then claimants will not be required to attend a face-to-face consultation.

Social Security Benefits: Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that (a) health workers, (b) Jobcentre Plus staff and (c) his Department's staff have received adequate training to respond to the needs of people with Crohn's disease and Colitis, which meets the six main standards set out in the Standards for the Healthcare of People who have Inflammatory Bowel Disease, 2013 update.

Justin Tomlinson: Guidance and training for Healthcare professionals advising the Department is developed by providers for their own staff. Both PIP and ESA assessments are based on function, not diagnosis or treatment.All Jobcentre Plus work coaches are trained to have the skills required to support customers with health conditions and disabilities. They have access to information which gives specific detail around various illnesses, the effects those illnesses are likely to have and access to sites such as NHS Choices. Work coaches can also use the “Employment, Health Conditions and Disabilities” intranet guide notes which provide background on specific disabilities /conditions and advice on good practice when interviewing. Finally, via the local District Provision tool, many Work Coaches are able to signpost claimants to organisations such as Crohns and Colitis UK.Departmental Decision Makers are given awareness of conditions, incapacities and their effects. Over time and with updates, learning and development they gather more information to increase their knowledgebase. They are also able to obtain specific advice on individual cases from Healthcare professionals employed by providers working for the Department.

Jobcentre Plus: Food Banks

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the duration will be of the pilot project placing jobcentre advisers in food banks.

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what criteria he will use to decide whether to extend the placement of jobcentre advisers in food banks beyond the current pilot.

Priti Patel: Jobcentre Work Coaches undertake outreach work every day in local communities, and have recently been helping people with back-to-work support and advice at the Lalley Centre in Manchester. Early feedback has been very positive. We will reflect on this and see if there is potential for extending engagement where there is local need and Jobcentre Plus are invited to do so.

Department for Work and Pensions: ICT

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much his Department spent on (a) IT systems and (b) cyber-security in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12, (iii) 2012-13, (iv) 2013-14, (v) 2014-15 and (vi) 2015-16 to date.

Justin Tomlinson: The available information is set out below:(a) IT costs which can be found in the published DWP Annual Report and Accounts, are summarised as follows:£ (to nearest 1,000)2010-112011-122012-132013-142014-152015-16 to SeptemberTotal IT960,572,000926,912,0001,111,308,000802,134,000732,352,000327,006,000**Please note that the figure for 2015/16 to September has not yet been audited for accounts.(b) DWP has tracked all core aspects of expenditure on cyber security, apart from in specific IT systems, since April 2015. The current estimate up to September 15/16 is £5.6m, with further significant investment planned for the second half of the year.

Home Office

Refugees: Syria

Mr Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Syrian refugees arrived in the UK through the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation scheme in September 2015.

Richard Harrington: Since the first arrivals in March 2014 to the end of June 2015, 216 people were relocated to the UK under the Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement scheme.Our statistics will be published quarterly and we will not be giving a running commentary on numbers. Our prime concern is the safety and protection of these very vulnerable people as they arrive in this country. We believe that the best way to protect their privacy and ensure their recovery and integration is to limit the amount of information about them that we make publicly available.The Prime Minister has said that we want to see 1,000 Syrian refugees brought to the UK by Christmas. The Government is working closely with local authorities, international delivery partners and the voluntary sector, putting in place the plans and structures to deliver this and ensuring the system is scaled up in a way that protects the interests of all concerned.

Refugees: Syria

Ian C. Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what resources the Government will make available to local authorities to assist the housing of refugees from Syria.

Richard Harrington: Holding answer received on 14 October 2015



The UK has established networks to accommodate and support resettled people. An increase in numbers will require an expansion of current networks. We are working with a wide range of partners including local authorities to ensure people are integrated sensitively into local communities. We are working closely with the Local Government Association on how the funding for this will operate.The first 12 months of each refugee’s resettlement costs will be met from the UK’s growing overseas aid budget. After year one we will also provide additional funding to assist with costs incurred in future years.

Refugees: Syria

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has to help Syrian refugees assimilate into British society.

Richard Harrington: The Home Office is working closely with colleagues in the Department for Communities and Local Government to plan for the integration of Syrian refugees.We are carefully considering issues such as access to English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), how access to employment can best be supported and how to draw on the support offered from the voluntary sector, including refugee and disapora organisations as well as faith organisations.

Refugees: Syria

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she expects the first Syrian refugees rescued from camps in the Middle East to arrive in the UK.

Richard Harrington: Holding answer received on 19 October 2015



The Government will expand the existing Syrian Vulnerable Person Scheme and intends to resettle 20,000 Syrians in need of protection during this Parliament.We can confirm that additional numbers of people have arrived as we expand the scheme following the Prime Minister's announcement. However, we will not be giving a running commentary on numbers.

Refugees: South East

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what funding has been made available to each local authority in London and Essex to resettle refugees in each of the next three years.

Richard Harrington: On 2 October local authorities received a letter to confirm that the first 12 months of a refugee’s resettlement costs (under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme) are fully funded by central government using the overseas aid budget. To ensure that local authorities can plan ahead and continue to respond to the overwhelmingly generous response of the British people, the Government will also provide additional funding to assist with costs incurred in future years. These arrangements will be applied to all cases since the 20,000 expansion was announced.We do not currently operate any of our other resettlement schemes in London and Essex.

Antisocial Behaviour

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effect of changes in police officer numbers on the ability of police to respond to anti-social behaviour.

Mike Penning: Holding answer received on 28 October 2015



The number of police recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour has declined year-on-year from 2.7 million incidents in 2011/12 to 1.9 million in the year ending June 2015. The number of anti-social behaviour incidents recorded by police in England and Wales in the year ending June 2015 decreased by 9% compared with the previous year. However, we recognise that anti-social behaviour continues to blight too many communities. This is why new and more flexible powers were introduced in the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 to make it quicker and easier for police forces and local authorities to protect communities from unacceptable behaviour.

Police: Disciplinary Proceedings

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what data her Department holds on the number of police in different forces who are suspended or not on active duty as a result of investigations or complaint procedures.

Mike Penning: The Home Office does not hold data on the number of police within different forces who are suspended or are not on active duty as a result of investigation or complaint procedure.From 2015/16, forces will be asked to provide returns that will include data on officer misconduct and whistle-blowing. This collection will include the number of recorded allegations of misconduct and gross misconduct; outcomes of disciplinary proceedings arising from those allegations; and the number of criminal investigations against those serving with the police. The Home Office intends to publish these data in due course once they are available.

Radicalism

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to paragraph 49 of her Department's Counter-Extremism Strategy, published on 19 October 2015, if she will publish the terms of reference of the review on entryism and specify what resources have ben allocated to that review.

Karen Bradley: Work is under way across government to better understand the challenge from entryism. This will shape the plans for our review. I expect an initial report in 2016.

Radicalism

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will set out the timetable for publishing the principles referred to in paragraph 97 of her Department's Counter-Extremism Strategy published on 19 October 2015.

Karen Bradley: We will publish the principles that will guide government engagement in due course.

Private Investigators

Sir Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she expects provisions in the Private Security Industry Act 2001 on private investigators to come into force; which individuals and organisations she has held discussions with on these powers; and if she will make a statement.

Karen Bradley: The Government is committed to ensuring the integrity of the private security industry and this includes private investigators.In July, the Government committed to a review (formerly triennial review) of the Security Industry Authority. That review may make further recommendations for legislative change which the Government will then consider.Home Office Ministers have regular meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Hate Crime: Greater London

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many incidents of each type of hate crime were recorded on public transport in London in each year since 2010.

Mike Penning: Holding answer received on 28 October 2015



The Home Office does not hold the requested data centrally. While the Home Office collects data on the number of hate crimes recorded by the police in London, we cannot tell from these data whether they took place on public transport or not. Furthermore, data are also collected from the British Transport Police but we cannot tell from these data whether the offence took place in London or elsewhere.Recognising that hate crime is a serious and persistent issue, the Government is committed to developing a new hate crime action plan, working in partnership with communities to ensure we have strong measures to stop and respond to these deplorable crimes. In future, for the first time, the police will provide a breakdown in religion-based hate crime data to help forces build community trust, target their resources and enable the public to better hold them to account.The most recently available figures for these police forces can be found in Hate Crimes, England and Wales, 2014/15, available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hate-crime-england-and-wales-2014-to-2015

Hertfordshire Constabulary: Income

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of annual income has been held in reserve by Herefordshire Constabulary in each of the past five years.

Mike Penning: Holding answer received on 29 October 2015



It is up to Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and Chief Constables to decide how to allocate their resources, including the efficient use of reserves, based on local priorities.Herefordshire is covered by the West Mercia police force area. The total amount of revenue funding received by the West Mercia PCC (formerly West Mercia Police Authority) and the total amounts of usable reserves, taken from publically available force area accounts are included in the following table.This includes total core Government funding area from the Home Office, Legacy Council Tax Grants and locally raised precept income. It excludes specific grants such as the Innovation Fund and other locally raised income.YearReserves £mRevenue funding (government grant+precept) £mReserves as % of total revenue funding31 Mar 201143.8212.620.6%31 Mar 201237.8206.918.3%31 Mar 201346.1204.622.5%31 Mar 201453.1201.626.4%31 Mar 201563.9198.532.2%

Home Office: Training

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many case workers in her Department received Keeping Children Safe Tier 3 training in 2014.

Karen Bradley: Holding answer received on 29 October 2015



In 2014, 1,329 officials from Borders and Immigration casework and operational roles received Keeping Children Safe Tier 3 training.

Crime: Rural Areas

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with chief constables about the prevalence of rural crime and the measures they are taking to counter it.

Mike Penning: Police reform is working and crime has fallen by more than a quarter over the last five years, according to the Independent Crime Survey for England and Wales. This means less victims of crime in rural areas as well as urban areas. Overall, people in rural areas are less likely to be the victim of household crime as those in urban areas, according to the Crime Survey. In addition, the 2014 Commercial Victimisation Survey found that crime against the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector was considerably lower than crime against the other sectors surveyed, the wholesale and retail sector and the accommodation and food sector.The election of Police and Crime Commissioners has given communities - including those in rural areas - a strong voice in determining how police resources are allocated to tackle the crimes that matter most to them. I see this through the work the National Rural Crime Network, which is funded by the Police Innovation Fund, is leading to ensure police forces respond to crime in rural areas, as well as specific activity being taken by police forces across England and Wales

Police: Stun Guns

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of people on whom the police used tasers were (a) BAME, (b) women and (c) under the age of 18 in each London borough in each of the last five years.

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of incidents in which tasers were used by the police in London in each of the last five years resulted in (a) an arrest, (b) a charge and (c) a conviction.

Mike Penning: Holding answer received on 29 October 2015



Accurate, consistent data on police use of force is essential to improve transparency around how the police are using their sensitive powers. That is why the Home Secretary asked Chief Constable David Shaw to carry out an in depth review of Taser data and other use of force, and present options for collecting, collating and publishing data on how force including Taser is being used, who it is being used on and what the outcomes are.Data is not recorded centrally on how many and what proportion of incidents in which Tasers were used by the police in London in each of the last five years resulted in an arrest, a charge and a conviction.Existing data on the police use of Taser by sex, age and ethnicity from 2010 to 2014, including that released under Freedom of Information, is not of a quality standard suitable for publication as Official or National statistics, and this data is not broken down by London borough.

Convention Concerning Forced or Compulsory Labour

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 11 September 2015 to Question 10040, whether she plans that the Protocol to the 2014 Forced Labour Convention will be ratified before the end of 2015.

Karen Bradley: The Government intends to ratify the Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention. We are taking forward the formal ratification process and we expect this to be complete within three months.

Gangmasters Licensing Authority: Finance

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to reduce the Gangmasters Licensing Authority's Grant-In-Aid budget over the next 12 months.

Karen Bradley: Holding answer received on 02 November 2015



Future levels of Government funding for all public bodies will be considered as part of the next Spending Review. We are committed to resourcing the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (the GLA) to ensure it delivers on its purpose of protecting vulnerable and exploited workers.

Employment: Crime

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Question 1 of the consultation, Tackling exploitation in the labour market, published by her Department and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in October 2015, what the legal definition is of organised labour market exploitation.

Karen Bradley: Holding answer received on 02 November 2015



Exploitation of workers comes in many different forms. The definition of ‘labour market exploitation’ used in the consultation is not a legal definition. For the purposes of the consultation, the phrase is explained at paragraph 50 in the consultation as meaning “more than merely deliberate non-compliance”.

Employment: Crime

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Question 1 of the consultation, Tackling exploitation in the labour market, published by her Department and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in October 2015, what account of international law her Department took in defining labour market exploitation.

Karen Bradley: Holding answer received on 02 November 2015



As explained in my answer to question 13916, my Department has not legally defined ‘labour market exploitation’, but set out what we mean by the phrase for the purposes of this consultation to provide context for stakeholders considering our proposals. Government has taken account of international law in preparing the consultation and will consider it further in considering the Government response to the consultation in due course.

Primates: Imports

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many primates were imported into the UK for scientific research purposes in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Mike Penning: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Community Engagement Forum

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, who has been appointed to the Community Engagement Forum; what criteria were used to make those appointments; and if she will make a statement.

Karen Bradley: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Home Office: Freedom of Information

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to respond to the Freedom of Information Request, CTS reference M12288/15, submitted by the hon. Member for Preston and received by her Department on 30 August 2015.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

UK Border Force: Secondment

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many employees of Border Force are seconded to Frontex; and in what locations such staff are deployed.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

UK Border Force: Greece

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many employees of Border Force are seconded to Kos and Lesbos; and what their (a) powers and (b) duties are.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

State Visits: China

Mr Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what involvement her Chinese counterpart had in the planning of the policing operation for the recent visit of the Chinese President.

Mr Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance her Department gave to (a) the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, (b) constables and (c) sergeants ahead of the visit of Xi Jinping to the UK about potential protests during that visit.

Mr Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions her Department had with its Chinese counterparts prior to the recent visit of the Chinese President Xi Jinping on policing and protests during that visit.

Mr Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she was informed that warrants were being obtained to search the homes of the three protestors arrested during the visit of the Chinese President.

Mike Penning: The operational policing of protests and demonstrations, including the use of police powers and search warrants, are principally a matter for Chief Officers of each force in England and Wales. The Metropolitan Police Service informed the Home Office on their operational plans to provide reassurance on the policing and security of the visit. The Metropolitan Police Service also liaised with Chinese counterparts as part of their operational planning.

Knives: Crime

Mr Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effect of changes to stop and search guidelines on the level of knife crime in (a) north east Essex and (b) other areas with a higher than average incidence of such crime.

Mike Penning: No assessment has been made of the effect on knife crime or other offences of the amendment to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Code of Practice A which makes clear what ‘reasonable grounds for suspicion’ are and that officers would be subject to conduct or performance procedures as a result of misusing the power. The changes came into force on 19 March 2015. More generally, statistical evidence does not suggest a clear relationship between changes in the use of stop and search and knife crime. The Home Office continues to monitor levels of knife crime but the latest figures show that nationally it is 17% lower than in June 2010, and although it has seen a slight rise of 4% in the last year (to June 2015) it remains close to its lowest level since data was first collected.

Driving under Influence

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans for portable evidential breath-test machines to be made available for use by the police to tackle drink driving.

Mike Penning: We will type approve Mobile Evidential Breath Test Instruments (MEBTIs) as soon as possible. Type approval is a complex process and relies on the submission by manufacturers of instruments which then perform satisfactorily during testing. The Home Office has no control over these factors.

Northern Ireland Office

Northern Ireland Office: Credit Unions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps she is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Ben Wallace: I refer the hon Member to the answer given by my hon Friend, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Harriett Baldwin) on 2 November 2015.Credit unions are a devolved matter in Northern Ireland and responsibility for them rests with the Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

Northern Ireland Office: Trade Unions

Tom Pursglove: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many civil servants in her Department are members of trades unions; how much working hours facility time is claimed by each such civil servant; and what the cost of that facility time is to her Department.

Mr Ben Wallace: My Department does not hold records on the number of staff who are members of a trades union as this is a matter for the individual.Facilities time is made available to the union representatives in the Northern Ireland Office. During the last quarter for which figures are available they used a total of two hours for meetings at a cost to the Department of approximately £37.

IRA

Mr Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to paragraph 13 of the report commissioned by her Department on Paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland, published 19 October 2015, what assessment she has made of the extent to which the IRA's Provisional Army Council oversees the Provisional IRA and Sinn Fein with an overarching strategy.

Mr Ben Wallace: Holding answer received on 02 November 2015



Further analysis of intelligence and actions relating as a consequence of the recent report is a matter for the Security Services and the Police. Ministers do not interfere with such operational decisions nor is it the policy of Her Majesty’s Government to comment publicly on such intelligence matters.

Department of Health

Carers

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the report by Carers Trust entitled A Charge on Caring?, published on 16 September 2015, if he will take steps to prohibit local authorities from charging unpaid carers for support.

Alistair Burt: The Government recognises the valuable contribution made by carers, many of whom spend a significant proportion of their life providing support to family members or friends.The Care Act guidance is clear about policy on charging carers. The Care Act statutory guidance, at paragraph 8.50 states that:“Local authorities are not required to charge a carer for support and indeed in many cases it would be a false economy to do so. When deciding whether to charge, and in determining what an appropriate charge is, a local authority should consider how it wishes to express the way it values carers within its local community as partners in care, and recognise the significant contribution carers make.”The Care Act replicates the previous position where charging carers was permissible and the Government has no plans to change this. It would not have been appropriate to impose a blanket ban on charging for carers services, because in some cases small charges are necessary to the viability of services. However, the Care Act provides additional protection to carers by making it clear that local authorities cannot charge carers for services provided to the person being cared for. This means that carers may only be charged for services provided directly to them.Most local authorities do not routinely charge carers in recognition of the valuable contribution carers make to their local communities, and the Carers Trust report confirms that this is still the case. We will continue to make the case against routine charging of carers and to monitor the situation closely.

Junior Doctors: Conditions of Employment

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effect his proposals for a new junior doctors' contract will have on junior doctors who do not work full time.

Ben Gummer: The new Junior Doctors Contract will continue to support those junior doctors who choose to work less than full time. Along with full time trainees, they will benefit from the strengthened controls on hours worked and also will benefit from an increase in base pay. Pay in future will be determined on fair pay principles related to the stage of training that junior doctors have reached. Junior doctors can expect to receive four or five progression pay increases in the course of their training as they progress and take on more responsibility.

Junior Doctors: Conditions of Employment

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will give an undertaking to the British Medical Association not to impose a new junior doctors' contract.

Ben Gummer: It remains the Government’s preference to reach a negotiated agreement with the British Medical Association (BMA). However, since the BMA Junior Doctors Committee withdrew from negotiations in October 2014, they have refused repeatedly to re-enter negotiations, even though they entered those negotiations recognising that the current contract was not fully fit for purpose and needed to change.On 28 OctoberGovernment confirmed that the pay of all junior doctors working safe hours in the transition to the new contract would be protected and again appealed to the BMA to return to negotiations.A new contract will be introduced from August 2016 that promotes safe working and rewards juniors more fairly in relation to the hours they work.

Junior Doctors: Conditions of Employment

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to his proposals for a new junior doctors' contract, what penalties would be enforceable against employers who fail to keep junior doctors' hours within safe limits.

Ben Gummer: Safeguards will be significantly improved compared to the existing contract, with employers contractually required to ensure safe working including:- No junior will be contractually required to work more than an average of 48 hours a week;- Those who choose to opt-out of the Working Time Regulations (WTR) (legally allowing them to work longer) will be limited to an average of 56 hours a week;- The maximum number of hours in any week will be 72, less than the 91 currently possible under the WTR;- There will be limits of no more than four consecutive night shifts and no more than five consecutive long days; and- Employers will be required to take action where a junior is concerned about hours as part of an agreed system of work scheduling and review. In exceptional approved circumstances doctors would be compensated for hours worked outside their work schedule.Employment contracts are legally enforceable. There will also be external NHS review processes relating to the educational experience and the impact of working patterns on safe care.

Tobacco: Packaging

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the implications of the standardised packaging of tobacco will be assessed against the Government's One-In, Two-Out criteria.

Jane Ellison: The Department published on 12 February 2015 a final Impact Assessment which assessed all of the costs and benefits of standardised packaging of tobacco products, including a one in two out calculation beginning at page 64.The final impact assessment is available on the Gov.uk website at:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/403493/Impact_assessment.pdf

Mental Health Task Force: Prison Service

Mr David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether a representative of HM Prisons Service sits on the Mental Health Task Force.

Alistair Burt: The Mental Health Task Force does not include a representative of HM Prison Service amongst its membership.

Autism: Lancaster and Fleetwood

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps (a) his Department and (b) NHS England is taking to ensure that autism diagnosis waiting times for (i) children and (ii) adults in Lancaster and Fleetwood comply with NICE guidance.

Mrs Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2015 to Question 10736, on autism diagnosis waiting times, what plans his Department has in place to centrally collect clinical commissioning group waiting times data.

Alistair Burt: The Department does not collect clinical commissioning group (CCG) data for routine accountability purposes as it is for NHS England to assess the performance of each CCG to ensure that they are commissioning safe, high quality and cost effective services, to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients. Public Health England is however commissioned by the Department to collect self-assessment data from local authorities and their partners on how the Autism Strategy is being implemented locally. The next exercise will commence in the spring of 2016 and this will include consideration of waiting times in local authority areas.NHS England has been working with the Health and Social Care Information Centre to develop the Mental Health Services Data Set. This will include provision for the diagnosis of autism in children to be recorded. This mandatory data set will, for the first time, provide ‘real time’ data about diagnosis rates. The data will be published and available to support and develop services. NHS England has a commitment, over the next five years, to improve waiting times and this data will be invaluable for this.For details of the position in Fleetwood and Lancaster in relation to autism diagnostic waiting times I refer to the answer given on 28 October 2015 to Question 12595.

Department of Health: Credit Unions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: The Department does not specifically promote the use of credit unions.

Vulnerable Adults

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects his Department to publish its response to its consultation for people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health conditions, entitled No voice unheard, no right ignored.

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to strengthen the rights of people with learning disabilities; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The Department is currently preparing its response to the consultation ‘No voice unheard, no right ignored’. The consultation sought views on a range of issues, including possible legislation to strengthen the rights of people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health conditions. It expects to publish the response during the autumn.

Pharmacy: Private Sector

Antoinette Sandbach: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS pharmacy services have transferred to the private sector in each of the last five years; what the value of each of those contracts for those services was; and what change to the cost of those services arose to each NHS Trust as a result of those changes.

Alistair Burt: The information requested is not held centrally. Such arrangements are made directly between National Health Service trusts and independent pharmacy providers.

MRSA

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a comparative assessment of the number of recorded MRSA infections in (a) Havering and (b) other districts in (i) the present and (ii) the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Gummer: Public Health England (PHE) is unable to provide the number of recorded Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infections by borough/district.PHE is able to provide this information by clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and acute trusts.Table 1 details counts/rates of total MRSA bacteraemia reported by Havering, Barking and Redbridge University hospitals trust and Table 2 lists counts/rates of MRSA bacteraemia attributed to Havering CCG over the last three financial years.It is important to note that MRSA bacteraemia cases are reported by the acute trust whose laboratory processes the specimen and that this may not always reflect where the bacteraemia was acquired. Counts/rates for total MRSA bacteraemia reported in other CCGs and acute trusts in England is attached and can be found on the gov.uk website:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/mrsa-bacteraemia-annual-dataPHE is working, with partner organisations, to address antimicrobial resistance through the implementation of the ‘UK Five Year Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy’1.   Table 1: Financial year counts and rates of total MRSA bacteraemia reported by Havering, Barking & Redbridge University hospitals (FY 2012/13 to FY 2014/15)FY 2012/13FY 2013/14FY 2014/15Trust CodeTrust NameMRSA bacteraemia reportsMRSA bacteraemia rate per 100,000 bed daysMRSA bacteraemia reportsMRSA bacteraemia rate per 100,000 bed daysMRSA bacteraemia reportsMRSA bacteraemia rate per 100,000 bed daysEngland Total9242.78622.58012.3RF4Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals174.7102.9133.7 Source: PHE July 2015 annual publication of surveillance dataNotes:Bed days were calculated using KH03 data for the stated period. The average daily bed occupancy for the Trust quoted has been multiplied by the number of days in the time period. Rate per 100,000 bed days is calculated as follows:Calculation of rate (per 100,000 bed days) = [Number of MRSA bacteraemia reports from the trust for the time period divided by Average daily bed occupancy multiplied by Number of days in the time period] multiplied by 100,000 NB: Included KH03 data are as of April 2015. KH03 data for January to March 2015 were not available at this time. Data for the same quarter last year (January to March 2014) has been used in FY 2014/15 bed day calculation. Table 2: Financial year counts and rates of MRSA bacteraemia attributed to Havering CCG (FY 2012/13 to FY 2014/15)FY 2012/13FY 2013/14FY 2014/15CCG CodeCCG NameTotal attributed MRSA bacteraemia specimensMRSA bacteraemia rate per 100,000 populationTotal attributed MRSA bacteraemia specimensMRSA bacteraemia rate per 100,000 populationTotal attributed MRSA bacteraemia specimensMRSA bacteraemia rate per 100,000 populationEngland Total9241.78621.68011.508FHavering93.862.562.5 Source: PHE July 2015 annual publication of surveillance dataNotes: CCG Populations are based upon Office for National Statistics (ONS) Mid-Year Population Estimates (2011 Census based). The relevant rate per 100,000 population was calculated as follows:Calculation of rate (per 100,000 bed days) = [Number of MRSA bacteraemia reports from that CCG for the given time period divided by CCG level population estimate] multiplied by 100,000NB: Included population data are as of April 2015. 2014 population estimates were not available at this time. 2013 population estimate data has been used as a proxy for the FY 2014/15 population.



MRSA data 2014-15
(Excel SpreadSheet, 611.5 KB)

Obesity

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to tackle obesity.

Jane Ellison: We will put forward our plans to tackle obesity in our childhood obesity strategy in the new year.

NHS: Negligence

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what safeguards he plans to introduce as part of his proposed fixed-cost regime changes to the Civil Procedure Rules to ensure that changes are fair to any side in civil litigation and do not harm access to justice.

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he made of the potential effect of his plans for improving patient safety and zero harm on reducing the cost of clinical negligence before taking forward proposals for a fixed-costs regime in clinical negligence.

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he made of the potential effect of the (a) provisions in the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 on reducing costs associated with clinical negligence and (b) possibility of the NHS and NHS Litigation Authority causing unnecessary costs in clinical negligence cases before he made his decision to take forward proposals for a fixed-costs regime in clinical negligence.

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department made of the potential effect on access to justice for victims of clinical negligence before it developed its proposals to introduce a fixed recoverable costs regime for clinical negligence; which other stakeholders were consulted on this matter before those proposals were developed; and what the response of those stakeholders to that consultation was.

Ben Gummer: We are planning to consult on the introduction of the fixed cost regime for clinical negligence claims where the damages awarded to claimants are less than £250,000. This forms part of our over-arching objective to minimise adverse incidents and provide an efficient, cost-effective approach to litigation. In doing this we are seeking to improve patient care by reducing the incidence of clinical negligence, improve customer care by ensuring the National Health Service is responsive to users; and ensure there is an appropriate and cost effective legal process in place for claimants and defendants.In advance of this work a pre-consultation exercise was undertaken with a wide range of bodies representing the views of patients, lawyers, bar organisations, professional bodies, NHS organisations, private healthcare providers and Welsh interests. Issues raised by these organisations included: access to justice, impact of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012; patient safety; and the avoidance of unnecessary costs in clinical negligence cases. These views will be rehearsed in the proposed consultation document and will inform decisions that are made following the consultation exercise. Respondents will have the opportunity to provide comments on the proposals, which we have been developing with the Civil Procedure Rules Committee.

Mental Health Services: Finance

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what changes in funding his Department has provided for mental health services over the last five years; and what plans he has for funding such services in the next five years.

Alistair Burt: Estimates of overall NHS expenditure on mental health services are not available for 2013/14 or 2014/15. Estimates of NHS expenditure on mental health services prior to 2013/14 are available in Table 1.Table 1: Estimated real-terms expenditure on mental health services for financial years 2009/10 to 2012/13 Financial YearExpenditure (£ billions)2009/1010.62010/1111.02011/1211.62012/1311.3Source: NHS England Programme Budget DataThe information is also available at:https://www.networks.nhs.uk/nhs-networks/health-investment-network/news/2012-13-programme-budgeting-data-is-now-availableAnalysis from NHS England shows that spending on mental health is estimated to have increased by £302 million in 2014/15, with total mental health spending rising from £11.362 billion in 2013/14 to £11.664 billion planned in 2014/15, an increase of 0.6% in real terms. In the planning requirements for 2015/16, commissioners were required to invest additionally in mental health in line with their increase in allocation. The total planned additional spend is £376 million, an increase of 4.5%.The Government remains committed to achieving parity of esteem between mental and physical health and we will hold NHS England to account on funding for mental health services. NHS England’s Mental Health Taskforce will publish its report later in 2015 with recommendations for future funding. NHS England will set funding priorities for 2016/17 through the annual CCG Planning Guidance.

General Practitioners: North East

Mr Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of GP retention in the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group area; and what steps he is taking to improve GP retention.

Alistair Burt: We are advised by NHS England that it commissioned the Essex GP Workforce Audit in autumn 2014 to define the extent of the general practitioner (GP) recruitment and retention problem in Essex, including the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area.In response to the audit’s findings, the Essex Primary Care Inter-Professional Centre for Workforce Development was launched in September. This has been developed by the Essex Workforce Group (comprising NHS England, local CCGs and Health Education England) to address the ongoing difficulty in recruiting, developing and retaining GPs, practice nurses and primary care staff in Essex. The centre will act as a ‘resource, networking and support hub’ and has a website allowing primary care staff to access training opportunities and mentoring opportunities through which they can develop their skills and careers.Nationally, we understand that NHS England is working with partners, including the Royal College of GPs and Health Education England, to increase GP numbers, reduce bureaucracy and use the skills of other healthcare professionals, such as community pharmacists, to ensure high-quality, and, above all else, safe, patient care.On 26 January, NHS England announced a £10 million investment to boost the GP workforce. The money will be used to recruit new GPs, retain those who are thinking of leaving the profession and encourage doctors to return to general practice, to better meet the needs of patients now and for the future.

National Institute for Health Research: Finance

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will ring-fence the budget of the National Institute for Health Research in the forthcoming Spending Review.

Alistair Burt: The Government has protected the funding the National Health Service receives and increased the Department’s budget in real terms year on year. There is no plan to change this, fulfilling the Government’s manifesto commitment. By 2020-21, the Government will increase funding for the NHS by £10 billion a year in real terms compared to 2014-15 to support the implementation of the NHS’s own plan - the NHS Five Year Forward View - to transform services across the country.The Spending Review will conclude at the end of November and will set the Department’s overall budget for the remaining years of the parliament. Following this, funding for the National Institute for Health Research will be determined.

General Practitioners: Hove

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the closure of Goodwood Court medical practice in Hove on patient access to primary care in that town.

Ben Gummer: We are advised by NHS England that Goodwood Court Medical Practice in Hove closed in June 2015 after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) took immediate action to remove the practice’s registration with the regulator. This was in order to protect the safety and welfare of patients following the findings of a CQC inspection at the practice.NHS England subsequently agreed an interim contract with doctors from the Charter Medical Centre to ensure ongoing care could be provided to affected patients following the closure of the Goodwood Court practice.The current arrangements with Charter Medical Centre, for the care of former Goodwood Court patients, are due to come to an end on 31 March 2016.NHS England has recently written to patients and local stakeholders asking for their views which will help to inform future care for patients of Goodwood Court.

General Practitioners: Hove

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he plans to take to ensure that people in Hove have access to GP surgeries offering seven-day primary care.

Alistair Burt: We are committed to ensuring that everyone will be able to access a general practitioner (GP) appointment in the evenings and on weekends as part of our plan for a 7 day NHS by 2020.Through the Prime Minister’s GP Access Fund, 125,000 patients in Brighton and Hove have had access to seven-day primary care through four ‘primary care clusters.’ The local clinical commissioning group are now evaluating this scheme and discussing plans for what to take forward.There is also a walk-in centre in central Brighton which is open from 8am to 8pm daily to serve the needs of Brighton and Hove residents. There is no need to be a registered patient with the health centre to use the walk-in service; it is available to everyone in Brighton and Hove. The service offers treatment, information and advice for a range of minor illnesses and injuries.

Ambulance Services: South East

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effect on patient safety of the project on how emergency calls were dealt with run by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust between December 2014 and February 2015.

Jane Ellison: We are advised that the health sector regulator Monitor is taking action with South East Coast Ambulance Service Foundation Trust regarding concerns about a project which was run between December 2014 and February 2015 in the south of England. The regulator is working with the Trust now to identify the negative impact this project could have had on patients.

Health Services: Brighton

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of provision of urgent care in Brighton and Hove.

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure the provision of high quality urgent care in Brighton and Hove.

Jane Ellison: The provision of urgent care is the responsibility of NHS England, which is currently reviewing nationally urgent and emergency care and proposes a fundamental shift in the way urgent and emergency care services are provided, delivering more care closer to home where clinically appropriate.The review is now within its implementation phase. A key aspect of this implementation is the establishment of Urgent and Emergency Care Networks (UECNs).NHS England has developed a suite of tools and guidance to support implementation of the review, including advice on the role and establishment of UECNs.In the hon. Member’s constituency, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) undertook a two-day unannounced inspection of urgent and emergency services at the Royal Sussex County Hospital during June 2015. The CQC published the report of this inspection on 23 October 2015 and rated urgent and emergency services inadequate at this hospital.The CQC expect the Trust to regularly report, in a single and standard approach, the improvements in quality to all stakeholders through the risk summit process.Following the CQC report publication, the Trust will take the following actions:- Changes to the Emergency Department floor;- Improving ward processes;- Hospital Rapid Discharge Team will review support packages with patients and their family when they first arrive in the Emergency Department; and- The opening of additional beds at the Princess Royal Hospital.

Hypothermia

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of cases of hypothermia diagnosed in (a) Barnsley Central constituency, (b) Yorkshire and Humber and (c) the UK in each year since May 2010.

Jane Ellison: The table below sets out the count of finished admission episodes (FAEs)1 with a primary diagnosis2 of hypothermia3 in Barnsley Central constituency4, North Yorkshire and Humber, West Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Area Teams of residence5 and England for years 2010-11 to 2013-146Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector2010-112011-122012-132013-14Barnsley Central constituency****North Yorkshire & Humber Area Team of Residence53606173South Yorkshire & Bassetlaw Area Team of Residence33503655West Yorkshire Area Team of Residence73787678England3,3903,4063,9423,837Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information CentreNotes: 1. Finished admission episodeA finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year or month in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the period.2. Primary diagnosisThe primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and 7 prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital.3. ICD-10 CodesThe following ICD-10 codes were used to identify hypothermia:T68.X HypothermiaR68.0 Hypothermia, not associated with low environmental temperatureP80.- Hypothermia of newborn4. Parliamentary constituency of residenceThe parliamentary constituency containing the patient’s normal home address. This does not necessarily reflect where the patient was treated as they may have travelled to another parliamentary constituency for treatment. This field is only available from 2009-10 onwards.5. Area Team of residenceThe area team containing the patient’s normal home address. This does not necessarily reflect where the patient was treated as they may have travelled to another area for treatment.6. Assessing growth through time (Inpatients)HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care.7. Small numbersTo protect patient confidentiality, figures between 1 and 5 have been replaced with “*” (an asterisk). Where it was still possible to identify figures from the total, additional figures have been replaced with "*". Where the symbol "-" (dash) appears this represents the absence of data.Note that HES disclosure control rules only apply to 'known' values, e.g. small numbers where the age is unknown do not need to be replaced with "*".

Frostbite

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of cases of frostbite diagnosed in (a) Barnsley Central constituency, (b) Yorkshire and Humber and (c) the UK in each year since May 2010.

Jane Ellison: The table below sets out the count of finished admission episodes (FAEs)1 with a primary diagnosis2 of frostbite3 in Barnsley Central constituency4, North Yorkshire and Humber, West Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Area Teams of residence5 and England for years 2010-11 to 2013-146Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector2010-112011-122012-132013-14Barnsley Central0000North Yorkshire and Humber Area Team of Residence2010South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Area Team of Residence2132West Yorkshire Area Team of Residence5763England84434851Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information CentreNotes: 1. Finished admission episodeA finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year or month in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the period.2. Primary diagnosisThe primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and 7 prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital.3. ICD-10 CodesThe following ICD-10 codes were used to identify frostbite:T33 Superficial frostbiteT34 Frostbite with tissue necrosisT35 Frostbite involving multiple body regions and unspecified frostbite4. Parliamentary constituency of residenceThe parliamentary constituency containing the patient’s normal home address. This does not necessarily reflect where the patient was treated as they may have travelled to another parliamentary constituency for treatment. This field is only available from 2009-10 onwards.5. Area Team of residenceThe area team containing the patient’s normal home address. This does not necessarily reflect where the patient was treated as they may have travelled to another area for treatment.6. Assessing growth through time (Inpatients)HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the provision of care.

NHS: Finance

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when NHS England plans to publish guidance to commissioners on their duty to pay excess treatment costs.

George Freeman: NHS England has confirmed that guidance to commissioners on their duty to pay excess treatment costs will be published by the middle of November 2015.

Health Services: Greater London

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much funding was allocated to each clinical commissioning group area in London per head of population since 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: Local National Health Service funding allocations per head of population since 2010 are shown in the attached tables.Allocations were made to primary care trusts (PCTs) until 2012-13 but since 2013-14 have been made to clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) excluding public health.It should be noted that CCGs do not share all the responsibilities of PCTs. In addition to commissioning primary care, PCTs commissioned a higher proportion of specialised services than CCGs do now. PCTs also commissioned public health services, a function which has transferred to local authorities via the public health grant.Further, not all CCG areas and populations are coterminous with those of the former PCTs.  



NHS Funding allocations since 2010
(Excel SpreadSheet, 29.37 KB)

Mental Illness

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many new cases of psychosis were diagnosed in (a) the UK, (b) London, (c) each London borough and (d) each health trust in London in each year between 2010 and 2015.

Alistair Burt: Sadiq Khan (Tooting): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many new cases of psychosis were diagnosed in (a) the UK, (b) London, (c) each London borough and (d) each health trust in London in each year between 2010 and 2015. [14122] ALISTAIR BURT Data on new cases of psychosis is not collected at United Kingdom level.Data for England is provided in the table below: England Level DataFinancial YearThe number of new cases of psychosis served by early intervention teams2014-1510,1862013-1410,4752012-1310,3752011-1210,0992010-1110,312Data for new cases of psychosis in London is provided in the table below:Financial YearThe number of new cases of psychosis served by early intervention teams2014-151,9932013-142,1772012-132,1982011-121,9522010-112,051Data on a London borough level is not available centrally.Data for new cases of psychosis diagnosed in each London Trust are provided in the attached table.



New diagnosed cases of psychosis- London Trusts
(Word Document, 16 KB)

Hospital Beds: Greater London

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, on how many occasions in each of the last five years bed occupancy rates reached (a) 85, (b) 90, (c) 95 and (d) 100 per cent in each hospital trust in London.

Jane Ellison: Official statistics for average daily occupancy rates for beds open overnight are published every quarter by NHS England on their website at the following address:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/bed-availability-and-occupancy/

Mental Illness

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender and (b) black and minority ethic people were diagnosed with mental health problems in (i) the UK, (ii) London, (iii) each London borough and (iv) each health trust in London on 1 October (A) 2010, (B) 2011, (C) 2012, (D) 2013, (E) 2014 and (F) 2015.

Alistair Burt: The data is not collected in the format requested.Data is not available for the lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender community.The attachment ‘black and minority ethnic mental health contact’ contains the latest data available on the number of people from black and minority ethnic groups who have been in contact with mental health services in London-based providers between 2011/12 and 2014/15 and clinical commissioning groups between 2013/14 and 2014/15.



Black and minority ethnic mental health contact
(Excel SpreadSheet, 45.25 KB)

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Billing: Fees and Charges

Stephen Gethins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what representations his Department has received about customers without internet access being charged to receive paper bills.

Nick Boles: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has received a few representations, mainly on behalf of the ‘Keep Me Posted Campaign’, (and nine from hon. Members in 2014 on behalf of their constituents) which have included reference to the desire for paper bills to be supplied free of charge.

Further Education

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether hon. Members are always informed when a post-16 area-based review is announced for an area which includes their constituency.

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how long the process of undertaking a post-16 area-based review will take in each area for which they are planned or already underway.

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the possible savings to his Department of the outcome of post-16 area-based reviews.

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether an (a) free school, (b) academy, (c) school sixth form and (d) university technical college will be allowed to open while a post-16 area-based review is still taking place.

Nick Boles: Yes. The Joint Area Review Delivery Unit supporting the area reviews will advise Hon. Membersas a matter of course when reviews are due to be undertaken in any part of their constituency.Area reviews should take place as quickly as possible, the typical timescale being 3-4 months but this could vary depending on the number of colleges and complexity of the local issues involved.The reviews are aimed at delivering a skills system that meets the economic and educational needs of areas whilst also ensuring the long term sustainability of colleges to support productivity. Their purpose is not to secure savings to Government. However, early evidence from the pilot reviews indicates that there is potential for the reviews to secure efficiency savings.All applications to open a free school, academy, school sixth form or university technical college will be assessed on a case by case basis against the published criteria and taking account of local needs and circumstances.

Further Education: Teachers

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many teachers were employed in teaching mathematics subjects in the further education sector in England at the start of (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14, (e) 2014-15 and (f) 2015-16 academic years.

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent discussions he has had with further education sector stakeholders on increasing the number of mathematics subjects teachers in that sector.

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the possibility that organisational changes resulting from further education area reviews may reduce the number of teachers employed to teach (a) mathematics and (b) English language subjects in the further education sector in England.

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many teachers were employed in teaching English language subjects in the further education sector in England at the start of (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14, (e) 2014-15 and (f) 2015-16 academic years.

Nick Boles: This Department does not hold this information. The Further Education (FE) sector is independent of government and responsible for its own operations. We therefore do not collect information about the numbers of English or mathematics teachers employed by FE institutions.This Department has ongoing discussions with FE stakeholder organisations about the importance of increasing the number of teachers of mathematics in the sector, as set out in our FE Workforce Strategy published in 2014. The government, through its support of bursaries and other workforce programmes, provided 199 bursaries to individuals to become maths teachers in the Further Education sector in 2013/14 and 2014/15, and also supported 2450 existing teachers to take maths enhancement programmes.Area Reviews of Post-16 education and training are aimed at delivering a skills system that meets the economic and educational needs of areas. All reviews will include consideration of the need for sufficient, high quality maths and English teaching. As independent organisations, colleges and providers will determine the number of teachers they need to deliver this provision.

Renewable Energy: Export Credit Guarantees

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if the Government will take steps to increase support for UK-based renewable energy companies to invest in developing country markets through export credit guarantees.

Anna Soubry: UK Export Finance (UKEF) has risk capacity available to support UK based businesses in the renewable energy industry looking to export to, and invest in, developing countries, through the provision of export credit guarantees, financing and insurance.UKEF continues to promote its products and services to companies in the renewable sector so they are aware of the support that is available if it is required.

Apprentices: Social Security Benefits

Mrs Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect of his Department's apprenticeship scheme on families claiming in-work benefits.

Nick Boles: Apprenticeships are paid jobs with training and the benefits system treats an apprenticeship in the same way as any other job.As an employee aged 18 or over, an apprentice may be entitled to the usual in-work benefits. Further information can be found at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/Apprenticeships offer significant monetary returns to individuals who complete them. Over a working life this adds up to between £48,000 and £74,000 for a level 2 apprenticeship; and between £77,000 and £117,000 for a level 3 apprenticeship.

Students: Loans

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many 24+ Advanced Learner Loans his Department estimated would be issued to people over the age of 24 studying for Level 3 and Level 4  qualifications in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15; what budget his Department allocated to such loans in each of those years; how many Advanced Learner Loans were issued for that cohort in each of those years; and how many of the issued loans were for (i) access to Higher Education courses and (ii) Level 3 and 4 qualifications.

Nick Boles: The “New Challenges, New Chances” consultation stage impact assessment “Further Education—Level 3+ Loans” published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on 16 August 2011 contained estimates as follows:For the 2013-14 financial year, it was estimated that 186,000 learners aged 24 and above would be supported to start level 3 and level 4 courses. This estimate included both starts supported through loans for the academic year starting in September 2013 (when these loans were introduced), and grant-funded starts prior to that. No separate estimate of loan-funded learners was available.The estimate of starts to be funded by 24+ Advanced Learning Loans for 2014-15 financial year was 171,000. These estimates also included Apprenticeships which were removed from 24+ Advanced Learning Loans in March 2014.The number of students the budget supports depends on the level of demand and the cost of the courses that students choose. The skills investment strategy published by BIS on 1December 2011 confirmed the budget for further education loans as £129 million in 2013-14 and £398 million in 2014-15. These budgets were not revised.The 24+ Advanced Learning Loans paid in England report by the Student Loans Company published on 14th October 2015 shows 55,900 learners in the 2013/14 academic year cohort were issued with loans for qualifications at level 3 and above, and 55,100 learners were issued to the 2014/15 academic year cohort.Data is not available to split the loans issued between Access to HE Diploma courses and other level 3 and level 4 courses. We can, however split the number of approved applications in this way, with the caveat that approved applications are not indicative of actual starts. These are shown in the table below.2013/142014/15Level 3 and level 456,22056,850Access to HE Diplomas15,59014,440Source: Student Loans Company

Small Businesses: Commuters

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect on small and medium-sized businesses of the recent ruling of the European Court of Justice on time spent travelling to work.

Nick Boles: This Government wants to ensure that the Working Time Directive promotes long-term, sustainable growth and labour market flexibility, and does not impose significant burdens on business. The recent ruling of the European Court of Justice means that journeys made by workers without a fixed or habitual place of work between their homes and the first and last customer of the day constitute working time under the Working Time Directive.All employers, regardless of size, of workers without a fixed or habitual place of work need to ensure that this time is taken into account for the calculation of working hours. The ruling has no general consequences for pay.

Living Wage

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what representations he is making to large businesses on paying the living wage.

Nick Boles: The National Living Wage (NLW) will be introduced in April 2016. It will be mandatory for employers of all sizes to pay their workers the new NLW if those workers are over 25 and are not in the first year of an apprenticeship. The Government encourages all employers to pay more than the statutory minimum rates when they can afford it.

Ministry of Defence

Armed Forces: Education

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answers of 15 April 2013, Official Report, column 56W, 7 July 2015 to Question 4788, 10 September 2015 to Question 8831 and 17 September 2015 to Question 10215, for what reasons figures on the number of army and RAF visits to schools in the academic year 2011-12 given in Answers in 2015 differ from those provided by his Department in the Answer of 15 April 2013; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Lancaster: The RAF statistics for the year 2011-12 provided in the answer of 15 April 2013 was collected manually from all Armed Forces Careers Offices by the RAF. The statistics provided to answer Question 4788 were collected from the computer system called ICARAS.For the RAF, prior to January 2015, recording data on ICARAS was not mandatory. The difference in figures is because not all historic data has been recorded on ICARAS for the year 2011-12 and, therefore, the previously manually collected data is more accurate.For the Army, prior to April 2013 they used the ICARAS system to track outreach activity, including visits to schools. However, the identification of specific types of event was problematic and it was often quicker and easier to ask Recruiting Offices for a summary of their activity. These summaries were based on local records, and were not always fully collated.Since April 2013 ICARAS has been the main tool to track events. A specific code for school visits under the Army in Education programme has been introduced, making tracking of such activity more accurate and easier to analyse.

Ministry of Defence: Waste Disposal

Alec Shelbrooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's contract with Veolia for the disposal of hazardous, non-hazardous and special waste which expired on 31 March 2015, when the new tendering process will begin; and what weight will be given in that process to British companies.

Mr Philip Dunne: The contract with Veolia for the disposal of hazardous, non-hazardous, special and dry wastes on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Other Government Departments was extended and is now due to expire on 31 March 2016. It is expected that an invitation to tender for a new contract will be advertised in early 2016.The MOD is required under relevant procurement regulations to treat all bidders equally and in a non-discriminatory way. This means that British companies will compete on an even playing field for this requirement.

Ministry of Defence: Credit Unions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Lancaster: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Harriet Baldwin) on the 2 November 2015 to Question 13524.



13524 - QnA extract on Credit Unions
(Word Document, 14.49 KB)

Army: Termination of Employment

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the army's (a) Junior Entrants and (b) Standard Entrants were medically discharged due to an injury during initial training in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Lancaster: The proportion of Junior and Standard Entrant Regular Army Personnel, Medically Discharged during initial training for 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15 is shown below:Entry Type2012-132013-142014-15Junior Entry6.3%8.6%6.8%Standard Entry4.2%5.1%5.1%Initial training has been defined as all personnel either in Phase 1 or Phase 2 training.Junior Entry is defined as trainees under 18 years old at the Army Foundation College (Harrogate) on Junior Entry courses. Figures for under 18s who follow the standard entry route are recorded with the standard entry total and cannot be separated out.Officer Designates have been excluded from this response as they do not enter the UK Army via Junior or Standard Entry.

Russia: Territorial Waters

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Fleet Ready Escort met the Russian Navy Research Vessel Yantar as it passed through UK waters; and what other assets were used to monitor the Yantar once inside the UK's Exclusive Economic Zone.

Penny Mordaunt: The designated Fleet Ready Escort was not activated on this occasion, but remained available at high readiness. There are always a number of Royal Navy units available in UK waters at any one time and, if it is appropriate, one of those units could be reprioritised to undertake a required task. In this case, HMS Severn was better placed to respond, and it made the most operational sense for her to undertake this task.I am withholding further details of our capabilities and programmes as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

NATO: Military Exercises

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) assets and (b) personnel of his Department took part in NATO Exercise Dragon 2015 in collaboration with the Polish armed forces.

Penny Mordaunt: Exercise Dragon 15 was a Polish-led multinational exercise involving up to 7,000 personnel and 900 combat vehicles at multiple training locations across Poland. The UK contribution to the exercise is a clear demonstration of the UK’s significant support to NATO’s Assurance Measures which are designed to reassure East European NATO members and deter aggression against them. Totalling approximately 1,350 Army personnel and around 400 vehicles, Exercise Dragon 15 constituted the largest UK armoured deployment in Eastern Europe in 2015.

Optical Fibres: Seas and Oceans

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the current threat posed to UK undersea fibre optic cables from hostile forces.

Penny Mordaunt: We do not comment on intelligence matters or media speculation relating to these.

Military Bases: Repairs And Maintenance

Steven Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to his Department was of maintenance of facilities at (a) Prestwick, (b) RAF Benbecula, (c) RAF Buchan, (d) RAF Lossiemouth, (e) RAF Tain, (f) RRH Saxa Vord, (g) HMNB Clyde, (h) Redford Barracks, (i) Dreghorn Barracks, (j) Glencorse Barracks, (k) Fort George (l) Kinloss and (m) Leuchars in each of the last five years.

Mark Lancaster: Reliable information on maintenance costs is only held since financial year (FY) 2012-13 as shown in the following table:Financial Year2012-13 Total2013-14 Total2014-15 Total2015-16 Total to 31/10/2015HMS Gannet (Prestwick)Information not held£117,000£118,690£70,616RAF Benbecula£56,000£74,000£86,981£61,339RAF Buchan£81,000£106,000£116,784£76,931RAF Lossiemouth£1,683,000£1,731,000£1,618,861£1,288,955RAF Tain£11,000£20,000£11,667£0RRH Saxa Vord£43,000£51,000£86,445£79,373HMNB Clyde£122,000£132,000£77,000£14,000Redford Bks£694,000£724,000£585,831£279,097Dreghorn Bks£526,000£633,000£487,636£166,740Glencorse Bks£491,000£547,000£433,281£159,876Fort George£246,000£319,000£331,140£254,079Kinloss£1,050,000£1,118,000£1,254,464£936,217LeucharsInformation not heldInformation not held£530,590£1,220,826

European Fighter Aircraft

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the consequences for the UK's capability of the retirement in 2018 of the 53 Typhoon aircraft purchased in tranche 1; and if he will reverse this decision in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Strategic Review.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Ministry of Defence is reviewing the potential utility of all its current platforms, including its fleet of Tranche 1 Typhoon aircraft, as part of the ongoing Strategic Defence and Security Review. Where there is clear merit in extending the life of existing equipment in terms of both military utility and value-for-money, the opportunity to do so will be considered in the context of the wider Review. It is therefore not appropriate to anticipate decisions on the Typhoon Tranche 1, or other capabilities, that have not yet been made.

RAF Waddington

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many civilian staff support operations at RAF Waddington; and what their payroll costs were in each year from 2010-11 to 2014-15.

Mark Lancaster: The table below shows the number of civilian staff supporting operations at RAF Waddington and their payroll costs for the previous five financial years (FY).The information for FY2010-11 is not held centrally, and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.FY2011-12FY2012-13FY2013-14FY2014-15(£ million)Average paid strength200150130130Total Cost£4.880M£4.263M£3.833M£3.728M

RAF Waddington

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the command structure at RAF Waddington is; and what the total payroll costs for senior officers were in each year from 2010-11 to 2014-15.

Mark Lancaster: The total payroll costs for senior officers (Regular and Reserve personnel at RAF Waddington, holding the rank of Squadron Leader and above) for the previous five financial years are as follows:2010-112011-122012-132013-142014-15Total Payroll Cost£6.125 million£6.161 million£6.404 million£6.127 million£5.840 millionRAF Waddington's command structure comprises Station Executives for each Wing and Squadron, who report directly to the Station Commander.

RAF Waddington

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF service personnel are based at RAF Waddington; and what their payroll costs were in each year from 2010-11 to 2014-15.

Mark Lancaster: The table below shows the number of RAF Regular and Reservist Service personnel based at RAF Waddington, and their payroll costs for the previous five financial years (FY).FY2010-11FY2011-12FY2012-13FY2013-14FY2014-15(£ million)Average paid RAF strength1,4401,4601,5101,4801,530Total cost£70.323£75.977£77.957£78.900£80.571

Ministry Of Defence: Trade Unions

Tom Pursglove: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many civil servants in his Department are members of trades unions; how much working hours facility time is claimed by each such civil servant; and what the cost of that facility time is to his Department.

Mark Lancaster: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) no longer holds data on employees who are members of Trades Unions (TUs), following the removal of automatic TU subscription-fee deductions from employees' salary in January 2015.The MOD makes certain facilities available to civilian employees who are accredited representatives, but not paid officials of, TUs recognised by the Department. The amount of time off and the purposes for which it is allowed is in accordance with the ACAS Code of Practice Time off for Trade Union duties and activities. This is recorded as facility time (FT).In FY 2014-15 some 9,865 staff days were spent on FT at a cost of £1.13 million, which is significantly lower than comparable figures for FY 2011-12 when an estimated 27,060 staff days were spent on FT at a cost of £3.65 million. The number of Departmental staff who were recorded as being 100% FT has also fallen from 53 in 2013 to zero in 2015.

RFA Tidespring

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to his Department was of the recent visit to the MFA Tidespring by Lady Boyce; and whether his Department plans for Lady Boyce to make further such visits.

Mr Philip Dunne: The cost to the Ministry of Defence of Lady Boyce attending the naming ceremony of RFA Tidespring was £5,418. This includes the cost of transfer to the airport from Lady Boyce's home and the flights of Lord and Lady Boyce to the Republic of Korea (ROK).Costs of accommodation and transfers within the ROK were funded separately under the contract with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME). The costs of the naming ceremonies arising under the contract are not separately identified.There are no plans to invite Lady Boyce to act as the Lady Sponsor for the remaining three ships in the class. Lady Boyce will, however, be invited to attend the planned events scheduled for when the ships arrive in the UK.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Communities and Local Government: Pay

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much was paid in (a) year end and (b) in-year bonuses to officials of his Department in each of the last three years.

Brandon Lewis: The Department for Communities and Local Government was created in 2006. The following table shows the amount paid in bonuses by the Department since that date. Since 2010-11 the Government has limited bonus awards for senior civil servants to the top 25% of staff – down from the top 65% under Labour. This has saved around £15 million overall.2006-072007-082008-092009-102010-112011-122012-132013-14Bonuses (£)838,2501,1018,3501,284,5491,041,144705,130544,250459,500471,293Of whichIn-year (£)181,824113,830296,500209,000218,500End year (£)859,320591,300247,750250,500252,793For all years up to 2008-09 inclusive, the figures relate to the financial year and the split between in year and end year bonuses is not available. Figures for 2010-11 onwards relate to the performance year, in line with the arrangements introduced by the Government for annual publication of bonus data. Figures for 2014-15 will be published in due course.

Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 26 October 2015 to Question 12724, on the Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group, how much (a) funding and (b) staffing resource is currently dedicated to that group.

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 26 October 2015 to Question 12724, on  the Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group, what the achievements of that group have been.

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 26 October 2015 to Question 12724, on the Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group, if he will place in the Library a copy of all advice that group has submitted to Ministers of his Department.

Mr Marcus Jones: Since 2012, the Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group has advised Ministers on issues including training for journalists to tackle the negative portrayal of Muslims in the media; encouraging increased reporting and recording of anti-Muslim incidents and online abuse; supporting social media workshops to build the capacity of community organisations to promote positive narratives; and facilitating a number of regional road shows to engage communities on integration and tackling anti-Muslim hatred. The group also worked on the issue of disaggregation of anti-Muslim hate crime, as is done with anti-semitic hate crime. Last month, my Rt Hon Friend, the Prime Minister announced that police forces in England and Wales would be required to disaggregate religion based hate crime data.The Working Group meets quarterly and uses this forum to advise Ministers on issues relating to anti-Muslim hatred rather than through official submissions.The independent members of the Working Group volunteer their own time to take part in the group and can claim basic travel expenses for the meetings. As part of a broader role, one official in the Department provides secretariat support to the group and officials from across Government Departments attend quarterly meetings.

Communities and Local Government: Credit Unions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Brandon Lewis: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for West Worcestershire (Ms Baldwin) on 2 November 2015, UIN 13524.

Wind Power: Dorset

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2015 to Question 12248, what the gross cost to the Planning Inspectorate was of the examination into the planning consent application for the Navitus Bay Wind Park; and how much of that cost was paid by Navitus Bay Development Ltd.

James Wharton: The gross cost to the Planning Inspectorate of the examination into the planning consent application for the Navitus Bay Wind Park was £995,660. Navitus Bay Development Ltd paid £565,660 of those costs.

Scotland Office

Scotland Office: Pay

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much was paid in (a) year-end and (b) in-year bonuses to officials of his Department in each of the last three years.

David Mundell: All staff in the Scotland Office are on assignment, secondment or loan from other Government bodies, in the majority of cases, the Scottish Government and the Ministry of Justice. Staff may be eligible for bonuses, in addition to basic salary, through their parent bodies' pay arrangements.The Scotland Office does not keep records of year-end performance payments or allowances to staff below Senior Civil Service level. These records are kept under staffs' parent bodies' pay arrangements. Scotland Office Senior Civil Service performance awards are agreed within a common framework set by the Cabinet Office and are published in the Scotland Office Annual Report and Accounts.The Scotland Office is able to authorise directly non-consolidated and non-pensionable bonus payments in recognition of special effort, achievement and commitment, where the payment of such bonuses forms part of the individual member of staff’s terms and conditions. The current bonus arrangements do not apply to staff on assignment from the Scottish Government.The following information shows the cost of such payments in the last three financial years:Financial  Year Total Cost of Payments in-year bonuses Number of  AwardsTotal Cost of Payments year-end (SCS only)Number of  Awards2012-13£3,0507£002013-14£4,70016£002014-15£00£5-101

Scotland Office: Trade Unions

Tom Pursglove: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many civil servants in his Department are members of trades unions; how much working hours facility time is claimed by each such civil servant; and what the cost of that facility time is to his Department.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not hold information on how many civil servants in the office are members of trade unions. There are no staff with facility time arrangements for trade unions duties and activities.

Women and Equalities

Government Equalities Office: Credit Unions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of the Government Equalities Office; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Dinenage: I refer The Hon Member for Harrow West to the reply given by Her Majesty’s Treasury to PQ 13524 on 2 November 2015.

Department for Transport

Department for Transport: Pay

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much was paid in (a) year-end and (b) in-year bonuses to officials of his Department in each of the last three years.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The amount paid in (a) year-end and (b) in-year bonuses to officials in the Department for Transport in each of the last three years is published on our website at the following links:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dft-roles-and-salaries-2014https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-transport-non-consolidated-performance-related-pay--2Non-consolidated performance related pay is only paid to reward excellence, for example to recognise and incentivise those responsible for delivering high quality public services and savings to the taxpayer. These one-off payments are not pensionable. Since 2010-11 the Government has restricted awards for senior civil servants to the top 25% of performers (from 65% in previous years), saving around £15 million overall.

Department for Transport: Credit Unions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Robert Goodwill: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for West Worcestershire (Ms Baldwin) on 2 November 2015, UIN 13524.

Motor Vehicles

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many vehicles have been reassessed by the DVLA for their historic vehicle status; and how many such vehicles have (a) retained their historic status and (b) had their historic status revoked as a result of the reassessment.

Andrew Jones: The DVLA is carrying out a targeted exercise involving a small number of historic vehicles. So far, 30 of these vehicles have retained their historic vehicle status. No vehicles have yet had their historic vehicle status removed.

Motorways

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to improve the quality of roads on the motorway network.

Andrew Jones: In 2014 we announced how we were investing £15.2bn capital between 2015 and 2021 to enhance, renew and transform the strategic network, with around £6 billion to help maintain and improve the condition of the strategic road network in England, including resurfacing around 80% of the network.Highways England are required to keep the motorway network in good condition as one of their key performance indicators.

Train Operating Companies: Subsidies

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 23 October 2015 to Question 12620, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the level of public subsidy for train operators in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry: The level of public subsidy paid to (or premiums paid by) train operators is determined by the franchising process, in which bidders compete for the right to run passenger services franchises. Franchise competitions are designed to allow train operators an adequate financial return while at the same time ensuring they can fulfil their franchise commitments and obligations in full. Last year the Department received net £1.2bn premium from franchised train operators. Further information can be found on the Gov.uk website(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rail-subsidy-per-passenger-mile).

Highways Agency: Procurement

Danny Kinahan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the operation of the procurement process in the Highways Agency.

Andrew Jones: Highways England complies with the Public Procurement Regulations. Each procurement exercise is led by a professional Procurement Officer who oversees the process to ensure that best procurement practice is followed.Highways England is continually looking to improve its procurement processes. For example, when a contract is being renewed, a contract working group (CWG) is established to consider lessons learnt from the previous contract and to look at opportunities to improve.Highways England is corporately accredited by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) which is an external endorsement of its procurement processes. CIPS Corporate Certification is an independent, comprehensive and procurement-specific assessment and signifies that Highways England has all the procurement governance mechanisms in place for effective and efficient procurement.

Highways Agency: Procurement

Danny Kinahan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had on the influence of major contractors over procurement processes in the Highways Agency.

Andrew Jones: The Secretary of State and Minister for Transport hold frequent discussions with Highways England on all aspects of their performance and delivery of the Road Investment Strategy. Highways England has recently published its Supply Chain Strategy. This sets out its procurement approach and strategies which are being developed with input from highways suppliers and others, to ensure effective and efficient delivery of the Road Investment Strategy.

Highways Agency: Procurement

Danny Kinahan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to reduce barriers to small and medium sized enterprises supplying new products to the Highways Agency.

Andrew Jones: Highways England has set up an Engagement Council to ensure all highways suppliers, wherever they sit within the supply chain network, can have a voice and show leadership in identifying waste (cost, time and quality) and improvement to deliver better value.Engagement CouncilMembership extends to all highway suppliers wherever they sit in the supply chain for Highways England contractsPrime route for collaborationPromotes innovation and improvementOther ways which Highways England encourages SME involvements in its supply chain are:The use of Constructionline - a case study recently published by Constructionline recognises the benefits it brings to removing barriers through our Meet the Buyer events which allow us to directly engage with SMEs. This helps to identify potential tendering opportunities and give advice on the tendering process.Contract clauses - A standard contract clause included in our Model Contract documents to encourage the use of SMEs by our Tier 1 suppliers.Project Bank Accounts (PBA) - Highways England promotes the use of these on all contracts (unless there is a compelling reason not to do so) benefitting suppliers from a significant acceleration in payment of their monthly invoices.Current PBA data at August 201548 PBAs in operation for live schemes.PBA total declared contract value of £4.66bn as of August 2015.In the first quarter of 2015/16 27% of the overall scheme spend is with SMEs. This data however is only based on those SMEs included in the PBAs and does not take account of spend with SMEs in the extended supply chain which could significantly increase this %.Highways England is currently developing an SME mentorship scheme alongside key industry associations as well as the larger contractors operating on the network. The scheme will allow SMEs the chance to develop their capability and help to create an environment which removes barriers to market allowing them to operate effectively. Health & Safety, innovation and leadership will be key elements of the scheme.

Aircraft: Seating

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with airline companies on seat accommodation for larger people travelling on aeroplanes.

Mr Robert Goodwill: There have been no discussions between the Department and the airline industry on the specific issue of seat accommodation for larger people travelling on aeroplanes.

Roads: Safety

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the level of democratic oversight of road safety partnerships; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Jones: None. This is a matter for the partnerships concerned.

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance

Danny Kinahan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of safety measures used on the road network to protect road maintenance workers.

Andrew Jones: The Department for Transport and Highways England are working closely with the Highways Maintenance Term Association and the wider construction sector on safety initiatives to ensure the safety and protection of operatives working on the highway network in England.

Public Transport: Disability

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to involve disabled people in the design of better access to public transport.

Andrew Jones: The Department sponsors the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC). DPTAC has a Chair and 12 members with a range of impairments. It advises the government on transport legislation, regulations and guidance and on the transport needs of disabled people, ensuring disabled people have the same access to transport as everyone else.

Railways: North of England

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects new rolling stock to be introduced on the forthcoming Transpennine Express franchise; and whether that rolling stock is planned to be diesel or electric powered.

Andrew Jones: Bids are currently being evaluated for the TransPennine Express (TPE) franchise and we expect to announce the winning bidder and its rolling stock plans by the end of the year. When the detailed plans for TransPennine electrification are confirmed, the Department will work with the TPE franchisee to ensure that the necessary rolling stock is put into place; this is expected to take place during the franchise term.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate his Department has made of the forecast return on investment from the High Speed 2 project; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Analysis presented in the HS2 Economic Case published in October 2013 calculated that the benefit cost ratio (BCR) of HS2 is valued at 2.3 for the full Y-network, including wider economic impacts. Therefore, over £2 worth of benefits are expected for every £1 spent which represents high value for money.

Stephen O'Malley

Mrs Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make representations to his Danish counterpart on reopening the inquest into the death of commercial driver Stephen O'Malley in 2012.

Mr Robert Goodwill: No. The death of Mr O’Malley was not a maritime accident as defined in law, and is considered to be a health and safety at work incident. It therefore falls outside the responsibilities of the Department for Transport and its Danish counterpart.

Railways: North of England

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to ensure that direct rail services between Hull, Leeds and Manchester continue regardless of which parts of that route are electrified.

Andrew Jones: The Government recognises the value that passengers attach to direct services in preference to having to change trains.The specification for the new TransPennine Express franchise, which starts in April 2016, requires the future franchisee to continue to operate through services between Hull and Manchester. The Government’s response to the consultation on the new Northern and TransPennine Express franchises, published in February, made clear that decisions on the post-electrification service pattern for Hull would be taken during the life of the new franchises. In the meantime, the specifications for the new franchises will provide Hull passengers with an improved weekday evening service back from Manchester, a full hourly all-day service to/from York, and additional trains to/from Scarborough.

Roads: Safety

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish a national road safety strategy.

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will set road casualty reduction targets.

Andrew Jones: The Government has not set road safety targets for local authorities or the police, and is not considering reinstating them. We do not believe that further persuasion is needed on the importance of road safety through “Whitehall knows best” diktats. However, local authorities and the police are free to set their own targets if they find this useful.The Conservative Manifesto 2015 had a commitment to reduce the number of cyclists and other road users killed or injured on our roads every year. We are working closely with road safety groups to consider what more can be done and we believe that every death is a tragedy and is one too many.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Afghanistan: Bombings

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to prevent a similar incident to the airstrikes in Afghanistan which killed Medecins Sans Frontieres doctors occurring in future.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: It is essential that there is a rigorous process to determine the circumstances surrounding the airstrike on the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) trauma centre in Kunduz in order to prevent something like this occurring again. We await the conclusions of the investigations currently being undertaken by NATO and by the governments of the United States and Afghanistan, and any lessons that these offer.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Credit Unions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Works and Pensions, my hon. Friend the Member for North Swindon (Mr Justin Tomlinson) to Question 13526 on 2 November 2015.

Yemen

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that people involved in the conflict in Yemen are able to access humanitarian and commercial aid,

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Intense fighting and insecurity on the ground in Yemen has resulted in restrictions being placed on commercial and humanitarian shipping, and difficulties in distributing food and fuel to those who need it. The most important action to address the humanitarian situation, beyond a ceasefire, is to facilitate access for commercial and humanitarian goods, which all parties to the conflict have a responsibility to ensure. The UK continues to monitor this issue, and has engaged frequently with the Government of Yemen and members of the Saudi Arabian-led coalition on facilitating access. We have emphasised with all parties to the conflict the importance of the non-politicisation of aid. There has been some recent progress on shipping access, which we welcome, but this needs to be maintained and increased in the future. We will continue to work with the Government of Yemen, members of the coalition, and the UN to see sustained progress.

Yemen: Armed Conflict

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that all sides in the conflict in Yemen maintain acceptable humanitarian and human rights standards.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We are aware of reports of alleged violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and abuses of human rights in Yemen, committed by all parties to the conflict - and take them very seriously. We have raised our concerns with the Saudi Arabian-led Coalition, and have received repeated assurances that they are complying with IHL. We continue to engage with them on those assurances. We are also concerned by reports of alleged IHL violations by Houthi-Saleh forces, including attacks on civilians in Aden and Taiz; intimidation of UN ships attempting to dock at Aden; the use of schools and hospitals for military purposes; the use of child soldiers; and the targeting of aid workers and restrictions on humanitarian access. We have raised our concerns with the Houthis on the importance of compliance with IHL.

India: Elephants

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure that British citizens travelling to India are aware of the illegal practice of capturing and breaking young elephants in India for use in the tourism industry.

Mr Hugo Swire: We are aware of reports that some elephants in use in the tourist industry in India have been captured as calves and then beaten and mistreated. This practice is illegal in India. Officials in London have discussed this issue with Save The Asian Elephant (STAE), an organisation that works to stop this cruel treatment.The UK is committed to conserving Asian elephants and recognises the growing threats to their populations, particularly from poaching and cross-border, illegal trade in live animals to feed the demand by the tourist and entertainment industries. The UK has been working internationally through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in discussion with elephant range states, including India, to increase protection for Asian elephants. We secured agreement from the Indian government in 2014 for elephant range states to put in place measures to prevent illegal trade in live elephants.It is not for the Government to make British citizens aware of this practice. However, we will continue to work together with the Indian authorities, as well as STAE and other non-governmental organisations, on protecting elephants.

India: Elephants

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Indian counterpart on preventing the practice of capturing and breaking young elephants in India for use in the tourism industry.

Mr Hugo Swire: We are aware of reports that some elephants in use in the tourist industry in India have been captured as calves and then beaten and mistreated. This practice is illegal in India. Officials in London have discussed this issue with Save The Asian Elephant (STAE), an organisation that works to stop this cruel treatment.The UK is committed to conserving Asian elephants and recognises the growing threats to their populations, particularly from poaching and cross-border, illegal trade in live animals to feed the demand by the tourist and entertainment industries. The UK has been working internationally through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in discussion with elephant range states, including India, to increase protection for Asian elephants. We secured agreement from the Indian government in 2014 for elephant range states to put in place measures to prevent illegal trade in live elephants.It is not for the Government to make British citizens aware of this practice. However, we will continue to work together with the Indian authorities, as well as STAE and other non-governmental organisations, on protecting elephants.

Taiwan: Foreign Relations

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will take steps to promote the UK's ties with Taiwan; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Hugo Swire: The UK continues to enjoy a strong relationship with Taiwan in the fields of trade, investment, education and culture. A number of ministerial visits were made during the last Parliament which developed this relationship. We are looking to develop our commercial and cultural ties further, for instance in the fields of green energy and financial services.

Argentina: Foreign Relations

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to meet with his Argentinian counterpart following the recent presidential election in that country; and if he will reaffirm to the new Argentinian administration British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.

Mr Hugo Swire: As my hon.Friend will be aware, Argentina held an inconclusive first round of Presidential elections on Sunday. A second round is due to take place on 22 November. The Government would prefer a more constructive bilateral relationship with Argentina, however, we shall not renege on our commitment to the self-determination of the Falkland Islanders.

China: Religious Freedom

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the extent of freedom of religion and belief in China.

Mr Hugo Swire: We remain concerned by the human rights situation in China, including restrictions on freedom of religion or belief. Some of our concerns include restrictions on the celebration of Ramadan in Xinjiang, and reports of church demolition and cross removal in Zhejiang Province. Freedom of religion or belief remains one of the Government’s top priorities and we are dedicated to its promotion and protection around the world.We raise this issue consistently with the Chinese authorities and continue to highlight a range of our concerns related to freedom of religion or belief in China in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy (www.hrdreport.fco.gov.uk), and most recently in July 2015. We also did so in detail during the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue in April this year, and will continue to do so as part of our wider relationship.

China: Capital Punishment

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the number of executions in China in 2015.

Mr Hugo Swire: The UK is against the use of the death penalty in all circumstances and we are committed to encouraging its global abolition. We welcomed China’s recent reduction in the number of crimes punishable by death from 55 to 46, but recognise that China is still believed to carry out the most executions with numbers estimated in the low thousands annually.We continue to raise the issue with the Chinese authorities, and did so in detail during the last round of the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue in Beijing in April.

China: Capital Punishment

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many prisoners facing the death penalty have been visited by UK diplomatic staff in China during 2015.

Mr Hugo Swire: British consular officials routinely visit all British nationals in Chinese prisons. To date, no British national has been sentenced to the death penalty in a Chinese prison since 2009. British officials are not in a position to visit foreign nationals facing the death penalty in China. However, we monitor the human rights situation in China closely, and report on individual cases of concern, including human rights defenders facing the death penalty, through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy.

Tibet: Human Rights

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of developments in the human rights situation in the Tibet Autonomous Region and ethnic Tibetan prefectures in China since March 2013.

Mr Hugo Swire: I most recently set out the Government’s position on the human rights situation in Tibet during a Westminster Hall Debate on Tibet on 18 June.

Liu Xiaobo

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Chinese government on the imprisonment of Liu Xiaobo.

Mr Hugo Swire: We pay close attention to the human rights situation in China, and consistently raise the range of our concerns with the Chinese authorities. We did so in detail at the most recent UK-China Human Rights Dialogue, held in Beijing in April. We raised the case of Liu Xiaobo and his wife Liu Xia immediately prior to the Dialogue.

Capital Punishment and Torture

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 September 2015 to Question 9704, whether current staffing levels for (a) torture prevention and (b) death penalty projects will be maintained in 2015-16.

Mr David Lidington: The staff levels in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as in all Departments, will be dependent on the outcomes of the Spending Review. The FCO's work on the prevention of tortue and the death penalty will remain central to our human rights work overseas in 2015-16.

Torture

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 September 2015 to Question 9704, whether his Department plans to renew its 2011 to 2015 Strategy for the Prevention of Torture.

Mr David Lidington: The Government remains committed to torture prevention work globally as evidenced by the launch of the new edition of the Torture Reporting Handbook on 24 September 15 and our ongoing support for torture prevention work through the UN and other multilateral institutions. The Government continues to pursue the 2011-2015 Strategy for the Prevention of Torture.

Capital Punishment and Torture

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 September 2015 to Question 9704, whether current funding levels for (a) torture prevention and (b) death penalty projects will be maintained in 2015-16 under his Department's Human Rights and Democracy Programme.

Mr David Lidington: In 2015/16, the Human Rights and Democracy Programme has allocated £700,000 on torture prevention projects and just under £600,000 for projects promoting the abolition of the death penalty. These sums were not not decided in advance. Project proposals were considered on a case-by-case basis by the Programme Team and evaluated against criteria including: value for money, project design, evidence of need, viability, sustainability, and risk and stakeholder management. These funding levels for torture prevention and death penalty projects will remain unchanged for the remainder of 2015/16. The budget for all Foreign and Commonwealth Office programmes for 2016/17 and beyond is currently under consideration as part of the Government’s Spending Review, which will conclude in November 2015.

Saudi Arabia: Arms Trade

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will suspend the sale of arms to Saudi Arabia.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We take our arms export responsibilities very seriously and the UK operates one of the most rigorous and transparent arms export control regimes in the world. All defence and dual-use exports are required to meet the UK’s strict export control requirements, which include consideration of the UK’s international commitments including under international treaties and obligations. We do not issue an export licence if there is a clear risk that the proposed export might be used in the commission of a serious violation of international humanitarian law. We also take account of any risk that the goods might be diverted to undesirable end-users or end-use.

Saudi Arabia: Cluster Munitions

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will take steps to encourage Saudi Arabia to destroy its stock of cluster munitions.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Convention on Cluster Munitions obliges States Parties to promote adherence to the Convention, and to encourage non-States Parties to accede to it. The UK, in line with these Convention commitments, encourages all states not party to accede to the Convention as soon as possible to further prevent the use, development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention and transfer of cluster munitions. The UK continues to encourage Saudi Arabia to accede to the Convention both bilaterally and in multinational fora.

Yemen: International Law

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will discuss with his international counterpart the possibility of setting up a judicial mechanism to independently and impartially investigate reports of violations of international humanitarian law in Yemen.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We take seriously the reports of alleged violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and abuses of human rights in Yemen, by all sides to the conflict. We have raised our concerns with Saudi Arabia and other members of the Coalition, and have received repeated assurances of compliance with IHL. We continue to engage with them on those assurances. We are also concerned by reports of alleged IHL violations by Houthi-Saleh forces. We have raised our concerns with the Houthis on the importance of compliance with IHL.The UK supported the resolution adopted at the recent session of the Human Rights Council which, inter alia, called upon all parties in Yemen to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, and requested that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights assist the Yemeni national independent commission of inquiry. This assistance should help the government of Yemen to meet its international obligations in investigating reports of violations of human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Senior Civil Servants

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what proportion of senior civil servants from his Department are from a lower socio-economic background.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Information on the socio-economic background of all our staff is not centrally held and to compile it would incur disproportionate cost.The FCO takes part in a number of schemes to encourage applicants from a lower socio-economic background.

Germany: Thalidomide

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Federal Minister of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth in the German government on meeting with the Thalidomide Trust's National Advisory Council on financial compensation for people with thalidomide.

Mr David Lidington: Following representations by the Government, senior representatives from the German government travelled to London to meet with the Trust in July. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office continues to provide support to the Thalidomide Trust’s National Advisory Council to enable them to further their dialogue with the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens and Youth, including through another meeting.

Lithuania: Conference Centres

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Lithuanian government against plans for a convention centre to be built in the Jewish Cemetery in Piramont, Vilnius; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Lidington: The Government is aware of plans announced by the Lithuanian Government to renovate the Soviet-era Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports, located in the Šnipiškės Jewish cemetery. The existing building on the site has been left derelict for some time. The Chairperson of the Jewish Community in Lithuania has been clear in her public support for the renovation, stressing that the current site is run-down and at risk otherwise of further deterioration. It is our understanding that there will be no significant structural changes and that only the interior will be renovated for use as a centre for conferences and cultural events. The surrounding area will be maintained as a memorial park. The Lithuanian Prime Minister has said that all Jewish cemeteries in Lithuania would be memorialised and marked by the end of 2017. We welcome his commitment to working alongside the Jewish Community of Lithuania and the international Jewish community on this renovation. The Lithuanian government has also said it will discuss the renovation with the Israeli government.

Lithuania: Conference Centres

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his European counterparts encouraging them to oppose Lithuanian government plans to erect a convention centre in the Jewish cemetery in Piramont, Vilnius; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Lidington: The Government is aware of plans announced by the Lithuanian Government to renovate the Soviet-era Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports, located in the Šnipiškės Jewish cemetery. The existing building on the site has been left derelict for some time. The Chairperson of the Jewish Community in Lithuania has been clear in her public support for the renovation, stressing that the current site is run-down and at risk otherwise of further deterioration. It is the Governement's understanding that there will be no significant structural changes and that only the interior will be renovated for use as a centre for conferences and cultural events. The surrounding area will be maintained as a memorial park. The Lithuanian Prime Minister has said that all Jewish cemeteries in Lithuania would be memorialised and marked by the end of 2017. We welcome his commitment to working alongside the Jewish Community of Lithuania and the international Jewish community on this renovation. The Lithuanian government has also said it will discuss the renovation with the Israeli government.

Burma: Rohingya

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government considers that Burma's Rohinga minority are subject to genocide.

Mr Hugo Swire: It is clear that the Rohingya are being persecuted and denied the most basic rights in Rakhine. Any judgment on whether genocide has occurred is a matter for international judicial decision, rather than for governments or non-judicial bodies.Our approach is to seek an end to all violations, irrespective of whether they fit the definition of specific international crimes. I and other Government Ministers take every appropriate opportunity, both publicly and in private, to press the Burmese authorities to take urgent steps to address the situation of the Rohingya.

Burma: Rohingya

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Burmese Rohinga people.

Mr Hugo Swire: I visited Rakhine State for the second time in July, during my visit to Burma. While there, I met representatives of both Rakhine and Rohingya communities, visited camps for the internally displaced, viewed projects we are supporting, and raised our serious concerns about the treatment of the Rohingya at senior level, with both local and central Burmese government.

Russia: Cultural Relations

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions the Government has had with the Russian government on cultural events.

Mr David Lidington: The UK and Russia have a long history of cultural collaboration that encourages and strengthens people-to-people links.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) supports the annual ‘Days of Scotland’ cultural festival in Russia, and is hosting a reception at the Consulate General in St Petersburg this year. FCO officials have discussed Scotland’s cultural and and people-to-people links with Russian Government officials

Russia: Scotland

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Russian government on strengthening cultural links between Russia and Scotland.

Mr David Lidington: The UK and Russia have a long history of cultural collaboration that encourages and strengthens people-to-people links.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) supports the annual ‘Days of Scotland’ cultural festival in Russia, and is hosting a reception at the Consulate General in St Petersburg this year. FCO officials have discussed Scotland’s cultural and and people-to-people links with Russian Government officials.

Department for International Development

Developing Countries: Sanitation

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when she last discussed with Ministerial colleagues in the Department for Energy and Climate Change the effect of climate change on global access to water and sanitation facilities.

Grant Shapps: Climate change is expected to reduce the availability of clean and safe water and sanitation facilities for the poorest and most vulnerable communities in the world. Through the International Climate Fund (ICF) the UK government is providing significant investment to help improve water security and support sustainable growth to reduce poverty. The ICF is jointly managed by DFID, the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Ministers from these departments have regular discussions on the UK government’s strategic approach to tackling climate change and poverty reduction.

Developing Countries: Sanitation

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent steps she has taken to promote the importance of access to safe water and sanitation to improve climate change resilience.

Grant Shapps: Through the International Climate Fund (ICF) the UK government is providing significant investment to help improve water security and support sustainable growth to reduce poverty.For example, a UK-funded programme in South Asia is enabling seven countries to manage their shared water resources more effectively and to reduce the risk of conflict. This will help improve the lives of the 700 million people living beside the great Himalayan Rivers of the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra.Last month the Prime Minister announced that UK climate funding will increase by at least 50% over the next five years. The UK also reaffirmed its commitment to achieve a 50:50 balance between adaptation and mitigation spend over this period.

Department for International Development: Credit Unions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to promote the use of credit unions on the work of her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Desmond Swayne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for West Worcestershire (Ms Baldwin) on 2 November 2015, UIN 13524

Nepal: Overseas Aid

Danny Kinahan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to tackle the blockage of foreign aid to Nepal across the Indian border.

Danny Kinahan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what reports she has received of allegations of India blocking foreign aid to Nepal.

Mr Desmond Swayne: We are deeply concerned about the impact of the border blockages and resulting fuel crisis in Nepal. This has affected all sectors of the economy and has affected the humanitarian relief effort and the supply of reconstruction materials.The UK has urged all parties to resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue. I issued a statement on 13th October expressing concern that much needed humanitarian supplies are yet to reach many people still living in temporary shelter.

South Sudan: Church of Scotland

Stephen Gethins: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, in what way her Department is supporting the work of the Church of Scotland in South Sudan.

Grant Shapps: Whilst our DFID programme has not directly engaged with the Church of Scotland, the UK does support faith-led reconciliation efforts in South Sudan. We fund two projects that, through our implementing partners the Catholic Relief Services and the UN Development Programme, work closely with the South Sudan Peace and Reconciliation Commission (SSPRC). The SSPRC plays an important role in coordinating a wide range of stakeholders to discuss and shape peace related actions within South Sudan.

Department for Education

Further Education

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether new (a) free schools, (b) academies, (c) school sixth forms and (d) university technical colleges will be permitted to open while an area-based review of education and training institutions is underway.

Nick Boles: All applications to open a free school, academy, school sixth form or university technical college are assessed on a case by case basis against the published criteria, taking account of local needs and circumstances.

Department for Education: Credit Unions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: I refer The Hon Member for Harrow West to the reply given by Her Majesty’s Treasury to PQ 13524 on 2 November 2015.

Design: Curriculum

Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to preserve the teaching of Design and Technology within school curriculums.

Nick Gibb: Design and Technology (D&T) is compulsory in the national curriculum in England at key stages 1 to 3. By introducing a new, more rigorous D&T curriculum in 2014 and reforming the subject’s GCSE and A level qualifications, we have taken important steps to make D&T a more attractive subject to study, paving the way for young people to progress into careers in a vast range of engineering and design fields.

Design: Teachers

Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to increase the number of Design and Technology teachers.

Nick Gibb: We continue to support Design and Technology (D&T) teacher recruitment through bursaries of up to £12,000 and marketing campaigns featuring D&T. Subject knowledge enhancement courses are available for those candidates who need to refresh or boost their knowledge of D&T prior to commencing teacher training. The Department for Education provides a specific webpage through the ‘Get into Teaching’ website for potential D&T trainee teachers:https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/explore-my-options/teach-design-and-technologyIn addition, officials hold regular discussions with the Design and Technology Association.

Pupils: Absenteeism

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the figures for school absence in England were in each year since 2005.

Nick Gibb: Information on pupil absence in schools in England is available in the ‘Statistics: pupil absence’ series[1].National absence figures between 2009 and 2014, can be found through the link to ‘Pupil absence in schools in England: 2013 to 2014’ in the spreadsheet named ‘National tables: SFR10/2015’.Table 1.1 provides absence information across the first five half terms between 2009 and 2014.National absence figures between 2005 and 2009, can be found through follow the link to ‘Pupil absence in schools in England, including pupil characteristics: academic year 2009 to 2010’.[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-pupil-absence

Department for Education: Senior Civil Servants

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of senior civil servants from her Department are from a lower socio-economic background.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education does not collect or hold socio-economic data about members of its Senior Civil Service.

Free Schools: Kingston upon Hull

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how  much funding her Department provided for the McAuley Free School project in Hull.

Edward Timpson: The McAuley Free School project opened in 2013 as The Boulevard Academy in Hull and received an outstanding Ofsted report in June 2015.As with all free schools, this project received a project development grant to help the Trust cover costs in the run up to opening a free school (the pre-opening stage). The funding is designed to enable Trusts to cover everything they will need to buy up to the point at which the school opens. Post-opening funding expenditure was agreed to cover essential initial costs, such as buying books and equipment. Capital funding rates are published here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/capital-funding-for-open-free-schools.Since opening, The Boulevard Academy has received its school block allocation of revenue funding, in line with all other maintained schools and academies. Information on schools block allocations for the academic years since 2013/14 is published online at https://www.gov.uk/search?q=schools+block+funding+allocations.

Leader of the House

Leader of the House of Commons: Credit Unions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Leader of the House, what steps he is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of his Office; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for West Worcestershire (Ms Baldwin) on 2 November 2015, to Question UIN 13524

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Business: Proof of Identity

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what guidance his Department gives to businesses on providing proof of their identity when they contact customers (a) online and (b) by telephone.

Mr Edward Vaizey: Organisationsincludingthe Federation of Small Business, the British Chamber of Commerce and theConfederation of British Industryoffer advice to small and medium-sized businesses on best practice when contacting customers. Weencourage all businesses to have procedures in place to identify themselves when interacting with customers, whether by phone, online or in person. This is vital for consumer confidence and trust.

BBC: Local Broadcasting

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to maintain the level of regional news provision after the BBC Charter review.

Mr Edward Vaizey: We welcome the BBC's commitment to work in partnership with local news providers, as it set out in its proposals published in September, and look forward to seeing these proposals developed further in discussion with industry to make sure they have a positive impact.The overall scale and scope of the BBC, including the provision regional news, is part of the Charter Review discussion.

Nuisance Calls

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what data his Department collects on nuisance calls.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Informaion Commissioner's Office collects data on nuisance calls and publishes it on its website athttps://ico.org.uk/action-weve-taken/nuisance-calls-and-messages/.

Broadband: Windsor

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of homes in Windsor constituency have access to superfast broadband.

Mr Edward Vaizey: We estimate that total coverage of superfast broadband in the Windsor constituency will be 94 per cent. Commercial coverage will provide superfast broadband availability to over 39,900 premises. The BDUK project, which focuses on areas where commercial coverage does not exist or is not planned, will add an additional 2,200 premises to the commercial coverage under phase 1 of the project and an additional 1,600 premises under phase 2.

Broadband

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many households in the UK have been fitted with satellite broadband as part of the Government's broadband rollout.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Government has provided £780 million to support the roll-out of superfast broadband to 95 per cent of homes and businesses in the UK. In addition, the Government is supportingseven pilot projects exploring options for delivering superfast broadband services to the hardest to reach parts of the UK. Through these pilots, satellite broadband has been provided to 327 premises to date. Customers are being connected every day, so this figure is subject to constant change.

Broadband

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of households in each region of the UK have access to superfast broadband.

Mr Edward Vaizey: According to the Ofcom Communications Market Report, published in August 2015, superfast broadband is available to 83 per cent of UK premises. Regionally, it is available to 84 per cent of the premises in England, 79 per cent in Wales, 77 per cent in Northern Ireland, and 73 per cent in Scotland. We aim to reach 95 per cent coverage by 2017.In addition we are supporting seven pilot projects to explore ways to extend superfast broadband beyond 95 per cent of UK home and businesses.

TalkTalk Group: Cybercrime

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what (a) advice and (b) other support the Government is providing to people affected by the cyber attack on TalkTalk.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Government has been in contact with TalkTalk to offer assistance, but this remains primarily a matter for the company itself and for law enforcement. TalkTalk have provided their customers withclear advice and supporton their website; this incorporates advice from the Government and the police. Cert-UK (the UK Computer Emergency Response Team) are in contact with the company and the Metropolitan Police are investigating.Customers who believe they have been a victim of cyber crime or fraud as a result of this attack should report this to the police viaAction Fraudand obtain a Crime Reference Number.As part of the Government’s five-year, £860 million National Cyber Security Programme to protect the UK, a range of wider advice is available to the public and businesses to help prevent and deal with cyber attacks. This includes the Cyber Streetwise campaign, Get Safe Online for consumers, and our business-specific products Cyber Essentials and the ”Ten Steps to Cyber Security”.

Telefonica: Underground Railways

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 27 October 2015 to Question 12790, whether the licence obligation on Telefonica to provide indoor 4G coverage to 98 per cent of UK premises by 2017 includes coverage in tunnels.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The licence obligation on Telefonica to provide indoor 4G coverage to 98% of the UK population by 2017 does not include coverage in tunnels.The Government recognises that dropped calls and intermittent access to the internet are frustrations felt by many rail passengers. The Government is working with the rail and telecommunications industries to reach a collective understanding of the technical and commercial challenges and the potential solution to this problem.

Broadband: Small Businesses

Julian Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure that small businesses are able to access high speed broadband.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Government has provided £780 million to support the roll-out of superfast broadband to 95 per cent of homes and businesses in the UK. In addition we are supporting seven pilot projects to explore ways to extend superfast broadband beyond 95 per cent of UK home and businesses.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Credit Unions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of her Department; and if she will make a statement.

George Eustice: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for West Worcestershire (Ms Baldwin) on 2 November 2015, UIN 13524.

Iron and Steel: Redcar

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on the potential costs of cleaning pollutants from SSI property in Redcar.

Rory Stewart: Officials in the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive have been working with the Official Receiver to ensure that the SSI Redcar site is closed down in a safe manner and with minimal impact to the environment and human health. The closure Plan which the Official Receiver is now implementing will deliver a ‘safe state’ position.Government continues to work closely with all relevant parties to establish the potential costs of cleaning pollutants from the site.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

Antoinette Sandbach: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make it her policy to routinely test camelids for bovine tuberculosis before they are moved around the UK.

George Eustice: Defra has worked with the British Alpaca and Llama Societies on the design and promotion of a TB testing regime that includes voluntary routine surveillance, pre-movement testing and pre-export testing. A call for views on control of bovine TB in non-bovine farmed animals, including camelids, is currently in progress and will run until 20 November.

Foraging

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her policy is on the foraging of food in natural habitats.

Rory Stewart: Species targeted for wild food foraging are generally common and widespread. These species that are deemed at risk are protected by the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.Guidelines on the picking of edible fungi can be accessed at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/Eng_NF_FungiCode.pdf/$file/Eng_NF_FungiCode.pdfAny proposals for wild food foraging on sites of special scientific interest in England would require consent from Natural England.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish regional data on the prevalence of bovine TB between 1996 and 2008.

George Eustice: Detailed statistics on bovine TB from 1998 to 2010, including at county levels, can be found on the archived Defra website at:http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130402151656/http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/atoz/tb/stats/index.htm.In addition, the annual surveillance report Bovine tuberculosis: Infection status in cattle in England includes the monthly proportion (and 12-month moving average) of cattle herds under TB movement restrictions as a result of TB breakdown in each TB risk region of England, in the period January 1986 to December 2014 (see Figures 3.2(a) and 3.2(b)). County prevalence values for 2014 are presented in Figure 3.4. The report is available online at:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/467803/england-surveillance-report14.pdf

Wildlife: Smuggling

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much her Department spent on tackling the illegal wildlife trade in each of the last five years.

Rory Stewart: Over the past five years, the total amount of funding committed by Defra to tackling the illegal wildlife trade is as follows:Financial Year Total committed 2010/11£224,5352011/12£226,0002012/13£162,0002013/14£2,089,7732014/15£5,278,744In December 2013, Defra and DFID announced that £10m of funding would be made available over the period 2014/15 – 2017/18 to help developing countries tackle the illegal wildlife trade, to be administered by Defra. In March 2015, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development announced that an additional £3m would be made available for this purpose.The DFID funding is largely distributed through the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, for which I announced the opening of a second round of applications in August 2015. In addition, Defra has supported projects which will help tackle the illegal wildlife trade through the Darwin Initiative and through direct awards to organisations such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). We also supported the London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade in February 2014 and the Kasane Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade in March this year.

Food: Waste

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to encourage retailers to reduce the amount of food waste they produce; and if she will make a statement.

Rory Stewart: Through the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), the Government is working with food manufacturers and retailers to meet targets to reduce food and packaging waste from the grocery supply chain under the Courtauld Commitment.Signatories reported a reduction of 7.4% in supply chain waste between 2009 and 2012 under Courtauld 2. Interim results for Courtauld 3 show signatories reported a further 3.2% reduction by 2014 against the overall target of a 3% reduction by the end of 2015.WRAP is currently brokering a new agreement, Courtauld 2025, which will build on this progress and is expected to start in 2016.

Department for Energy and Climate Change

Heating: Carbon Emissions

Callum McCaig: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, when her Department last made an assessment of the carbon efficiency of heat pumps in obtaining their power from grid-supplied electricity.

Andrea Leadsom: The carbon efficiency of heat pumps which utilise electricity supplied from the national grid is affected by two things:1) heat pump performance (efficiency) which affects how much electricity is required to run the heat pump; and2) the carbon content of electricity.DECC publishes current and future assumptions about the carbon content of the electricity grid in the Green Book Supplementary Guidance: Valuation of energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/valuation-of-energy-use-and-greenhouse-gas-emissions-for-appraisal.DECC has commissioned a number of studies looking at the installed performance and carbon effectiveness of heat pumps. As part of the Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) policy, the installed performance of around 700 domestic heat pumps was monitored. Preliminary results were published in January 2014 and include an estimate of carbon savings:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/276612/Preliminary_Report_on_the_RHPP_metering_programme_2014-01-31.pdf.DECC are also currently monitoring a selection of ground and water source heat pumps installed under the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive.

Department of Energy and Climate Change: Pay

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how much was paid in (a) year end and (b) in-year bonuses to officials of her Department in each of the last three years.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department uses performance related pay to help drive high performance and to recognise exceptional contributions and achievements over and above what is expected of people in fulfilling their employment contracts.These payments, which are in-line with HMT Pay Guidance, are cost effective as they are not consolidated into basic pay and have to be re-earned every year.Since 2010-11 the Government has restricted awards for senior civil servants to the top 25% of performers.In-year performance related awards are used to recognise and incentivise corporate behaviours and values which might not be fully reflected in annual performance appraisal reports. These are also used to reward staff for exceptional pieces of work or for taking on additional responsibilities.End-year non-consolidated performance awards are used to reward the department’s highest performers as assessed in their end of year appraisal reports.   A breakdown of the In-Year and the End-Year awards is given in the table below:Table 1Financial Year In-Year Performance Awards End-Year Performance Awards 2014-2015£247,606£996,9012013-2014£377,617£882,5212012-2013£372,315£869,665

Department of Energy and Climate Change: Credit Unions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps she is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Andrea Leadsom: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury on 2 November 2015 to Question 13435:http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2015-10-26/13524/.

Wind Power: Northern Ireland

Danny Kinahan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will assess the effect of the lack of a support mechanism for small-scale wind projects in Northern Ireland on those projects.

Andrea Leadsom: Energy policy is devolved in Northern Ireland and it is for Ministers in Northern Ireland to decide on what support mechanisms they deem appropriate.The primary focus of the current review of the Feed-in Tariffs is to ensure generators are incentivised appropriately whilst seeking views on how to control future costs.We therefore do not consider it appropriate at this moment to extend the scope of the scheme.

Electricity: Costs

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 19 October 2015 to Question 11214, what measure her Department considers to be an adequate comparator for costs of different electricity technologies in the future.

Andrea Leadsom: In comparing the costs of different electricity technologies in the future, DECC typically use the levelised costs of electricty generation. Levelised costs include capital and operating costs over the lifetime of a plant, as well as DECC estimates of projected fuel and carbon costs.The most recent levelised cost estimates are available in the DECC Electricity Generation Costs (December 2013) report, available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/269888/131217_Electricity_Generation_costs_report_December_2013_Final.pdfWe are currently undertaking a comprehensive review of our evidence on levelised costs of electricity generation.The above levelised costs however do not take into account all of the wider positive or negative impacts that a plant may impose on the electricity system. So far, DECC’s electricity modelling has considered these wider whole system impacts through a system wide cost-benefit analysis. DECC is currently undertaking a project, which aims to further systematise DECC’s understanding of the whole system impacts of electricity generation technologies.

Renewable Energy

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps she is taking to support the increased use of wind and solar power.

Andrea Leadsom: In 2014, renewables provided nearly one fifth of the UK’s electricity needs[1] and we are on track to reach our aim of delivering 30 per cent by 2020. Generation from onshore wind, offshore wind and solar PV is making a significant contribution to achieving this aim due to the support these technologies receive through the Renewables Obligation (RO). The deployment of substantial amounts of solar PV and wind capacity has also been supported through the small-scale Feed-in Tariff (FITs) scheme.In addition to the support provided through the RO and FITs, fifteen onshore wind, two offshore wind and three solar PV projects, with a combined installed capacity of nearly 2 gigawatts, signed a Contract for Difference (CfD) earlier this year following the first CfD allocation round. These projects are expected to commission between 2016/17 and 2018/19.Onshore wind and solar PV have now reached the point where there is enough capacity in the pipeline to help the UK meet its 2020 renewables commitments. We are therefore proposing changes to RO and FITs support which are intended to ensure that deployment from these technologies remains affordable under the Levy Control Framework. The changes proposed to RO support for onshore wind through the Energy Bill will also deliver our election commitment to end subsides for new onshore wind.[1] Energy Trends

Department of Energy and Climate Change: Trade Unions

Tom Pursglove: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many civil servants in her Department are members of trades unions; how much working hours facility time is claimed by each such civil servant; and what the cost of that facility time is to her Department.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) recognises three Trade Unions for the purposes of collective bargaining: the First Division Association (FDA), the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) and Prospect. As not all Trade Union members pay their subscriptions through payroll it is not possible to provide accurate data on the number of employees who are trade union members.Local union representatives are elected by the employees who are members of the union in accordance with each union’s rules for filling these posts. In order to fulfil their trade union duties the unions also elect representatives to the roles of Departmental Trade Union Side (DTUS) Chair and Secretary. The DTUS Chair and Secretary are allocated re-approved facility time up to 50% of their working hours. All other representatives must request time off from their line manager.Details of the working time claimed by unions representatives in DECC and the cost of the facility time to the Department is provided to the Cabinet Office on a quarterly basis. The details provided in the latest return covering the period 1 April to 30 June 2015 are as follows:Total number of Trade Union representatives Total facility time (in working hours) Total cost of facility time to the Department 15315.25£16,710

Department of Energy and Climate Change: Ministers' Private Offices

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the cost of establishing and running her extended ministerial office has been since its introduction.

Andrea Leadsom: Neither my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State nor other ministers in the Department have Extended Ministerial Offices (EMO).

Electricity Generation: Costs

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 19 October 2015 to Question 11214, what guidance her Department offers to potential investors on comparing the costs of different electricity technologies in order to inform investment decisions.

Andrea Leadsom: In comparing the costs of different electricity technologies in the future, DECC typically use the levelised costs of electricty generation. Levelised costs include capital and operating costs over the lifetime of a plant, as well as DECC estimates of projected fuel and carbon costs.The most recent levelised cost estimates are available in the DECC Electricity Generation Costs (December 2013) report, available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/269888/131217_Electricity_Generation_costs_report_December_2013_Final.pdfWe are currently undertaking a comprehensive review of our evidence on levelised costs of electricity generation.The above levelised costs however do not take into account all of the wider positive or negative impacts that a plant may impose on the electricity system. So far, DECC’s electricity modelling has considered these wider whole system impacts through a system wide cost-benefit analysis. DECC is currently undertaking a project, which aims to further systematise DECC’s understanding of the whole system impacts of electricity generation technologies.

Tidal Power: Swansea Bay

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what representations she has received from the Welsh Government on the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon.

Andrea Leadsom: DECC Ministers and officials have regular contacts with the Welsh Government where matters relating to the proposed Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon are discussed. The Department will continue to actively engage with the Welsh Government during the Contract for Difference negotiation.

Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent representations she has received on the potential effect on jobs and investment in the solar industry of reductions in feed-in tariff subsidies.

Andrea Leadsom: We ran a consultation on the feed-in tariff review from 27 August to 23 October. We strongly welcomed evidence from the sector during this review consultation, and we will set out our response in due course.

Hydroelectric Power: Costs

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answers of 6 July 2015 to Question 4551 and 12 October 2015 to Question 10567, if she will request that Ofgem estimates what the cost is to SSE of generating conventional hydro-electric power.

Andrea Leadsom: Detailed operating cost information per generation type of each energy company is not available publicly. Some information is available through supplier’s Consolidated Segmental Statements, which shows the annual operating costs of the largest suppliers generation businesses split into conventional and renewable generation.

Attorney General

Attorney General: Credit Unions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Attorney General, what steps he is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of the Law Officers' Departments; and if he will make a statement.

Jeremy Wright: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to question 13524 on the 2nd of November by my Hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury.

Wales Office

Wales Office: Pay

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much was paid in (a) year-end and (b) in-year bonuses to officials of his Department in each of the last three years.

Alun Cairns: The total amount of (a) end year bonuses paid in each of the last three years, which relates to staff individual performance in the previous financial year, is shown below:YearTotal Amount Paid in Bonuses (£)*201319,40020142,10020152,400*Non-consolidated performance related pay is only paid to reward excellence, for example to recognise and incentivise those responsible for delivering high quality public services and savings to the taxpayer. These one-off payments are not pensionable. Since 2010-11, the Government has restricted awards for senior civil servants to the top 25% of performers (from 65% in previous years), saving around £15 million overall.(b) No in-year bonuses were paid in the period.

Wales Office: Credit Unions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps he is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Crabb: I refer the hon Member to the answer given by my hon Friend, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Harriett Baldwin) on 2 November 2015.

Wales Office: Trade Unions

Tom Pursglove: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many civil servants in his Department are members of trades unions; how much working hours facility time is claimed by each such civil servant; and what the cost of that facility time is to his Department.

Alun Cairns: The Wales Office does not record how many of its staff are members of trades unions. No civil servant working at the Wales Office currently claims facility time.

Devolution: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, which non-party political organisations he has worked with in developing the proposed Wales Bill.

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, with which non-party political organisations he has met to discuss the proposed Wales Bill since March 2015.

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, from which non-party political organisations he has received representations on the proposed Wales Bill.

Stephen Crabb: As Secretary of State I meet regularly with many non-party political organisations to discuss a range of issues, including the draft Wales Bill. These include business organisations, representatives of the legal profession, academics and representatives of Welsh civil society.

Ministry of Justice

Ministry of Justice: Credit Unions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Dominic Raab: The Ministry of Justice has not taken any direct steps in this regard. However, The Government is committed to continuing to support the credit union movement in making financial services more accessible.

Young Offender Institutions: Visits

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many young people aged between 18 and 20 (a) are currently on closed visits and (b) have been placed on closed visits in the last 12 months at (i) HMP/YOI Moorland, (ii) HMYOI Aylesbury, (iii) HMYOI Swinfen Hall, (iv) HMP/YOI Portland and (v) HMP/YOI Parc.

Andrew Selous: The table below provides the numbers of young people aged between 18 and 20 (officially classed as Young Adult prisoners) (a) on closed visits on 27 October 2015 and (b) placed on closed visits in the 12 months up to and including 27 October 2015 at (i) HMP/YOI Moorland, (ii) HMYOI Aylesbury, (iii) HMYOI Swinfen Hall, (iv) HMP/YOI Portland and (v) HMP/YOI Parc.Table 1: Number of Young Adults (aged 18-20) on closed visitsEstablishmentAs at 27 Oct 201512 Months to 27 Oct 2015Moorland215Aylesbury27115Swinfen Hall38Portland27Parc24Note to tableThe number provided for Young Adults (aged 18-20) on closed visits in the 12 months to 27 October 2015 includes those on closed visits on that date.The data on closed visits is not collated centrally; it has been provided by individual establishments for the purpose of answering this question.Closed visits - where no physical contact is allowed between the prisoner and the visitor - may be used to prevent the smuggling of contraband such as drugs and mobile phones, which can impact the good order and discipline of an establishment.

Insolvency: Fraud

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the potential change in the levels of fraud if the funding of insolvency litigation is changed under the provisions of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.

Dominic Raab: An Impact Assessment was published when the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 received Royal Assent.The Ministry of Justice is in the process of considering the way forward in relation to the application to insolvency litigation of the no win no fee reforms in Part 2 of the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.

Driving Offences: Sentencing

Mr Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what progress the sentencing council has made on producing guidelines for sentencing serious motoring offences; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he expects the consultation on the review of driving offences will be launched.

Andrew Selous: Driving offences can have devastating consequences for victims and their loved ones, which is why tough sentences are available to the courts. Further information about the driving review will be available in due course.As a result of this review, the independent Sentencing Council have paused their review of sentencing guidelines.

Gender Recognition

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to review the requirement for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria in the application criteria for the gender recognition certificate.

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will reduce the (a) bureaucratic burden and (b) cost of the fee structure for the gender recognition certificate.

Caroline Dinenage: The Government takes gender equality issues very seriously and has actively contributed towards the Women and Equalities Select Committee's inquiry into transgender equality. The Government will consider the recommendations of the inquiry once they become available.

James Thompson

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make representations to the Criminal Cases Review Commission on reviewing the case of James Thompson.

Mike Penning: The Criminal Cases Review Commission is independent, and it would not be appropriate for Ministers or officials to intervene in individual cases.

Prisons: Employment

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to improve the provision of work in prisons; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Selous: We want prisons to be places of hard work, rigorous education and high ambition, with incentives for prisoners to learn and for prison staff to prioritise education and work. Improvements have been made to increase work but we want to go further. We are looking at the ways in which this might be achieved.

Immigration: Appeals

Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the appropriateness of the time taken to secure appeal hearings at the First-tier Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber.

Mr Shailesh Vara: The most recently published average time for appeals to be disposed of by the First-tier Tribunal is 30 weeks between April and June 2015. This compares to an average of 29 weeks in 2014/15. HM Courts & Tribunals Service remains confident that it continues to have the capacity to deal with the volume of appeals it expects to receive. We are preparing to put additional court time in place to make sure waiting times do not increase.

Personal Injury: Compensation

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take steps to reduce the number of false personal injury claims.

Dominic Raab: This Government is building on the significant reforms of the coalition Government to tackle fraudulent and unnecessary personal injury claims. We are looking forward to receiving the recommendations of the Insurance Fraud Taskforce later this year and will announce further reform in this important area in due course.

Prisons: Employment

Matt Warman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to improve the provision of work in prisons; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Selous: We want prisons to be places of hard work, rigorous education and high ambition, with incentives for prisoners to learn and for prison staff to prioritise education and work. Improvements have been made to increase work but we want to go further. We are looking at the ways in which this might be achieved.

Cabinet Office

Cabinet Office: Credit Unions

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to promote the use of credit unions in the work of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Matthew Hancock: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for West Worcestershire on 2 November 2015, UIN 13524.

Commission on Freedom of Information

Louise Haigh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on what basis the membership of the Independent Commission on Freedom of Information was chosen; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the Commission is approaching the review in a fair, open and balanced manner.

Matthew Hancock: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Sheffield Central on 19 October 2015 to UIN: 10765.

Commission on Freedom of Information

Louise Haigh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he expects the Independent Commission on Freedom of Information to publish its report and recommendations.

Matthew Hancock: The independent Commission on Freedom of Information is expected to publish its findings in due course following the close of its Call for Evidence on 20 November.

Electronic Government

Louise Haigh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of staff time saved as a result of bringing transactional services offered by the Government online in (a) 2013, (b) 2014 and (c) 2015.

Matthew Hancock: This information is not held centrally.The Cabinet Office has helped government save £1.7billion overall through digital and technology transformation in 2014/15, an increase from £978m in 2013/14.

Cabinet Office: Freedom of Information

Louise Haigh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made of his Department's performance in adhering to the statutory time limit for responding to Freedom of Information requests.

Louise Haigh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of times his Department has missed the statutory time limit for responding to Freedom of Information requests in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013, (e) 2014 and (f) 2015 to date.

Louise Haigh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Freedom of Information requests were rejected by government departments in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013, (e) 2014 and (f) 2015 to date.

Matthew Hancock: The Government publishes statistics on the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 within central government, including on timeliness and the number of requests rejected by each government department. These reports can be accessed at the following webpage: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics.

Commission on Freedom of Information

Louise Haigh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what budget the Government has allocated to the Independent Commission on Freedom of Information.

Matthew Hancock: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Sheffield Central on 19 October 2015 to UIN: 10764.

Termination of Employment: Bristol South

Karin Smyth: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of people resident in Bristol South constituency whose employment was terminated through ill health in each year from 2005 to 2014.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UKSA Letter to Member - Resident in Bristol
(PDF Document, 63.71 KB)

Cabinet Committees

Richard Burden: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2015 to Question 13434, on Cabinet Committees: Airports, under what circumstances (a) full minutes, (b) dates of and (c) other information about such meetings would be published.

Mr Oliver Letwin: Information relating to the proceedings of recent Cabinet Committee meetings is not disclosed as to do so could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion. Cabinet Committee minutes and other papers, which are not subject to national security or other restrictions, will be released to The National Archives after 20 years once the transition from the 30 to the 20-year rule has been complete. A detailed list of the Cabinet Committees, including their membership and remit, can be found on Gov.uk.

Electoral Register: Finance

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Statement of 16 July 2015 by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Cabinet Office, HCWS 127, on individual electoral registration, how much of the funding referred to in that statement has been allocated to each electoral registration office in England.

John Penrose: In total 103 Local Authorities in England are receiving additional funding to help target their remaining carry forward entries. Almost £570,000 of funding was allocated directly to 53 English authorities where carry forward entries accounted for over 5%, as a proportion of their registers, in May 2015. 59 Local Authorities in England, including 9 which had already received a direct allocation, successfully submitted bids for additional funding, sharing just over £450,000.The attached table sets out all 103 English authoritieswhich are receiving additional funding directly and those whhich submitted successful bids along with the total amount they are receiving.



Attachment for Member
(PDF Document, 216.15 KB)

Electronic Government: Cybercrime

Louise Haigh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he plans to take to contact people whose personal details have been stolen as a result of the cyber-security breach of the Government Gateway system.

Louise Haigh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information his Department holds on the potential sale of information stolen during the cyber-security breach of the Government Gateway system.

Matthew Hancock: To date the security reports on the Government Gateway system do not show a cyber-security breach.

Committees

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the daily rate or fee will be for members of the proposed review committee on securing the decisive role of the House of Commons on financial matters and secondary legislation.

John Penrose: The Government has asked Lord Strathclyde to lead a review to examine how to secure the decisive role of the elected House of Commons in relation to (i) its primacy on financial matters; and (ii) secondary legislation. Lord Strathclyde will be supported by a panel of experts and further details will be announced in due course.